WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Freshman Miroslav Stafl put up a game high 15 points as the Hartford men's basketball team dropped a 67-57 decision to Winthrop in its 2019-20 home opener. The Hawks fall to 1-1 on the young season while Winthrop picked up the win in its first game of the year.
 
WINTHROP 67, HARTFORD 57
The Hawks started the first half strong as they jumped out to an early lead. Winthrop would the take control of the half, as they went on a run of their own. The Eagles would extend their first half lead to 16 before Hartford started to make a comeback. Moses Flowers would be the sparkplug as he slammed home a ferocious dunk that got the Hawks going. Hartford would cut the lead down to six, and would trail by six going into the half after an incredible three-point buzzer beater from Hunter Marks.
 
The second half would start as a back and forth affair with both teams trading the lead. Hartford would hold a one-point lead with 10:42 remaining in the half, after D.J. Mitchell drained a three. Winthrop would regain the lead and would not lose it for the remainder of the game. The Hawks would stay in the game and cut the lead to as little as one, but the Eagles ended the game on a, 11-3 run, as the Hawks fell in its home opener.
 
INSIDE THE BOX AND NOTES

• Flowers and Marks joined Stafl in double figures, as they both finished the game with 12 points
• Marks and Mitchell lead the way in rebounding with seven each
• The all-time series between the two programs is now tied at 1-1
• Hartford shot 63.2 percent from the free-throw line, and 37.0 percent from the field
• Hunter Hale led Winthrop in scoring with 15 points

 
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks head back on the road on Tuesday, as they travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to take on Marist. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.