THE BASICS:

RESULT: LIU Brooklyn 79, Hartford 78
RECORDS: Hartford (3-5); LIU Brooklyn (3-6)
LOCATION: Steinberg Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
 
THE LEAD:

An LIU Brooklyn free throw with less than one second remaining left-handed the University of Hartford men's basketball team a heartbreaking 78-79 loss on Thursday night in Brooklyn. Junior transfer Travis Weatherington drained a three with five seconds left to tie the game at 78, but LIU Brooklyn's Joel Hernandez, who finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds, spoiled the comeback bid and gave the Blackbirds the decision by hitting one of three free throws with 0.6 second left.

Junior Jason Dunne led all Hartford scorers with 19 points, going 5-of-10 from beyond the arch. Joining Dunne with double figures was redshirt-junior John P. Carroll, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season, and Weatherington, who finished with a career-high 15 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Hawks opened with a balanced offensive attack and controlled the majority of the first half, leading by as much as six.
• LIU Brooklyn answered in the latter stages of the half, however. Gaining their first lead of the game with 2:48 remaining, the Blackbird finished the first half on a 13-5 run, giving them a 37-34 lead heading into the locker rooms.
• LIU Brooklyn came out swinging in the second half, going on a 13-4 run out of the gates.
• The Hawks chipped away at the Blackbirds' lead to come within two on a three and a pair of free throws from Dunne with 8:38 remaining. Both teams would exchange runs down the stretch, with LIU Brooklyn putting together an 11-5 run before Hartford answered with a 10-4 rally.
• With the Blackhawks holding a 78-75 lead, Weatherington drained a three with five seconds remaining to tie the game at 78. On the ensuing possession, though, LIU Brooklyn's Hernandez drew a foul on a three-point attempt with just over half a second left. Hernandez only came up with one of his three free throws, but it was all the Blackbirds needed as the Hawks were unable to capitalize on one last opportunity.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS & NOTES:

• Hartford outshot the Blackbirds from the field (29-27) and from behind the arch (10-8).
• LIU Brooklyn capitalized from the free-throw line, holding a 17-10 advantage in makes.
• Carroll recorded his first double-double of the season, along with his first double-figure rebound game (18 points and 10 boards).  
• Weatherington topped his previous career high, netting 15 points behind a trio of three-pointers.

UP NEXT:
The Hawks return home for the Capital City's Game of the Year, hosting ACC foe Boston College on Saturday, Dec. 2. Tickets for the highly anticipated game are still available in a limited amount as Hartford is looking to have the first sellout inside the Reich Family Pavilion since 2012. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.