Kevin Estes
Steve McLaughlin

Men's Basketball Hartford Sports Information

Men's Basketball Falls in Overtime to Stony Brook, 79-73

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WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -
The shots were falling for the Hartford men's basketball team, but they stopped at just the wrong time as the Hawks fell in overtime to Stony Brook, 79-73. The Hawks held a 10-point lead with five minutes to play, and led by three until the Seawolves got an offensive rebound and sunk a three with just over five seconds to play.

Joe Zeglinski, who scored a game-high 24 points, just missed on a fadeaway three-pointer at the buzzer of regulation that would have given the Hawks the win. For his efforts, he was named the America East Player of the Game. Bryan Dougher, who finished with 17 points, took home the honor for Stony Brook.

Much as they did in their victory at UMBC on Saturday, the Hawks jumped out to an early lead thanks to a hot start from beyond the arc. Five of Hartford's first six field goals were three-pointers as the Hawks took a 17-10 lead on Stony Brook. Ryan Baker, who finished with eight points and five rebounds, had two of the early treys as he converted on good looks from teammates Genesis Maciel and Milton Burton.

The Seawolves got back in the game with six quick points from Danny Carter. The game seesawed back and forth the rest of the half, with Dougher's three-pointer with 2:48 on the clock proving to be the final points of the half. Stony Brook lead at the break, 27-26.

Despite the halftime deficit, the Hawks had to feel good about their position a month after falling at Stony Brook 69-35. In that game, Zeglinski was held scoreless for the only time in his collegiate career. He bounced back in a big way on Wednesday as did his teammates, who pushed the Seawolves to the limit.

Stony Brook charged out of the gates in the second half, going on a 12-6 run to build a 39-32 advantage. After a timeout by head coach John Gallagher, the Hawks began to right the ship. Anthony Minor knocked in a lay-up and was fouled, hitting the free throw to cut the deficit to four. After a Burton lay-up, Morgan Sabia got into the action with a three from the right wing that put Hartford back on top, 40-39.

It was then that the Hawks' three-point game really turned up the heat. Zeglinski got things started, then after a lay-up by Kevin Estes, Sabia knocked down another trey, followed by Burton and Sabia again. With 6:05 to play, the Hawks led 57-47 and Stony Brook called timeout.

The timeout proved to be well-called, as three quick Hartford turnovers got Stony Brook right back in the game. The Seawolves went on an 11-0 run to take a 58-57 lead with 3:25 to play before Estes sank another bucket to end the run and put Hartford back on top. Estes, who played 16 minutes, finished with a season-high eight points.

After Danny Carter knocked down a bucket, Baker's lay-up with 1:13 to play gave the Hawks a 61-60 lead. Stony Brook came up empty on its next possession despite two offensive rebounds, and Morgan Sabia had a huge offensive board on the other end that set up two Milton Burton free throws with 21 seconds to play. The Hawks had a 63-60 lead, but one more Stony Brook offensive board proved costly as Leonard Hayes connected from three on a second-chance bucket to tie the score with six seconds to play.

Hartford called timeout across halfcourt and Minor found Zeglinski for a fadeaway three at the buzzer, but it rattled in and out.

In the extra period, the Hawks took an early 67-65 lead before Bryan Dougher took over, scoring nine straight points to give Stony Brook a 74-67 lead with 46 seconds to play. The Hawks battled and cut the lead to three with 26 seconds remaining, but they could do nothing as the Seawolves hit their free throws and iced the game away.

Hartford has one more regular season game remaining, Senior Day on Sunday afternoon against New Hampshire. Seniors Milton Burton, Kevin Estes, Anthony Minor, Morgan Sabia and Joe Zeglinski will be honored in a pregame ceremony. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased by calling 860-768-HAWK or by visiting the Malcolm and Brenda Berman Athletics Box Office. Fans who cannot make it to the game can watch it live on CTSN, or catch the action on the flagship radio station of Hartford men's basketball, WDRC-1360 AM.
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