THE BASICS:

RESULT: Hartford 67, Portland 78
RECORDS: Hartford (5-7); Portland (5-7)
LOCATION: Chiles Center (Portland, Ore.)
 
THE LEAD:
Portland's hot shooting led the Pilots past the University of Hartford men's basketball team on Tuesday night, 78-67. The Hawks jumped out to an early 5-2 lead, but the Pilots responded with 12-unanswered points to take a lead they would not relinquish. Portland shot 57.1 percent from the field on the night, including 58.6 percent (17-of-29) in the decisive first half. 

Redshirt-junior John P. Carroll led Hartford's scorers with 18 points. Juniors Jason Dunne (12 points), J.R. Lynch (11 points) and Travis Weatherington (11 points) rounded out the Hawks' top scorers, joined Carroll in double figures.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Hawks opened up with a 5-2 lead, but the Pilots responded with 12-unanswered to go up, 14-5. Portland continued its run, opening up a 16-point lead with four minutes left in the half.
• But Hartford managed to close the gap in the closing minutes of the first half. Behind six points from Carroll, the Hawks went to on a 10-4 run to cut the Pilots' lead to 10. At the break, Portland held a 45-33 edge.
• Portland maintained control of the game in the beginning of the second half, going on an 11-3 run to take its largest lead of 22 points with 13:11 left. But Hartford wouldn't go out without a fight down the stretch. The Hawks scored 17 of the game's next 23 points to pull within eight with just under six minutes remaining.
• Portland managed to hold off the Hawks' late run, holding on to take the 78-67 decision. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS & NOTES:

• Portland outshot the Hawks from the field (28-21) and from beyond the arc (10-6).
• The Hawks held the advantage from the free-throw line, holding a 19-12 edge. The Hawks matched a season-high in points from the free-throw line in the contest.
• With his two blocks, senior Hassan Attia passed Ryan Howse for fifth and tied Morgan Sabia for fourth on Hartford's all-time block list.
• Carroll recorded his sixth straight double-figure game and 10th on the season, while Dunne recorded his third straight and ninth of the season.

UP NEXT:
The four-game road trip brings Hartford back to the East Coast for a tilt at Florida International on Friday, Dec. 22. The Hawks and Panthers are slated to tip off at 7 p.m.