THE BASICS:
RESULT: Hartford 84, LIU Brooklyn 86
RECORDS: Hartford (2-2); LIU Brooklyn (2-3)
LOCATION: SMG-Montego Bay Convention Centre (Montego Bay, Jamaica)

THE LEAD:
LIU Brooklyn held off a late push from the University of Hartford men's basketball team to take an 86-84 decision from the Hawks on Saturday night as part of the Jamaica Classic. The Hawks went on an 11-5 run to close the contest and pull within one possession, but the Blackbirds kept the comeback bid at bay.

Junior Jason Dunne led all scorers with 23 points. He was closely followed by classmate J.R Lynch, who had 20 points, while senior Jack Hobbs controlled the boards, grabbing a career-high 12.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Blackbirds quickly jumped out to a 7-2 lead early in the first, but the Hawks would fight back. With 12 minutes left, a pair of three-pointers from Travis Weatherington and J.R. Lynch lifted the Hawks to a 21-17 lead. LIU Brooklyn then surged ahead with a 15-3 run, giving them a 50-44 lead at the end of the Half.  
• The Hawks opened the second half on an 8-3 run, drawing them within three of the Blackbirds. Hartford stayed on the heels of LIU Brooklyn until a pair of Lynch free throws put the Hawks up 66-62 with just over ten minutes remaining. The Blackbirds would quickly respond, however, pulling away to an 81-73 lead with under five minutes remaining. The Hawks would go on an 11-5 run in the final four and a half minutes to pull within one but were unable to complete the comeback during the last possession.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS & NOTES:

• Leading Hartford in scoring for the first time this season, Dunne netted 23 points.
• Lynch added 20 points, including five assists and three rebounds in the losing effort.   
• Both squads hit 30 field goals on the night, but the Hawks were more efficient (50.8%) than the Blackbird (48.4%)
• LIU Brooklyn held a slight advantage on the boards (32-31)

 
UP NEXT:
The Hawks will be back in action tomorrow night when they wrap up the Jamaica Classic against Miami (OH). The 10 p.m. tilt will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.