WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Sacred Heart used a big second-half run to push past the Hartford men's basketball team, 79-62, inside Reich Family Pavilion on Sunday afternoon. Graduate student Malik Ellison scored 18 points to lead Hartford in his debut, while freshman Miroslav Stafl added 12 points in the defeat.
 
The Hawks dip to 4-7 while the Pioneers move to 6-4 on the season with their fourth straight victory.
 
SACRED HEART 79, HARTFORD 62
In a first half of momentum swings, the Hawks used a 14-2 run to erase a two-point deficit and go up, 26-14, with 7:09 remaining. Ellison contributed four of his 11 first-half points during that rally, which helped Hartford build a 41-34 advantage at the break.
 
Sacred Heart came out of the intermission firing, using a 10-2 run to take a 44-43 advantage less than three minutes in. The score would change hands three more times, with a Michael Dunne three-pointer providing the Hawks with a slim, 57-56 edge with 8:52 to go. Hartford was unable to hold on, though, as the Pioneers scored 21 straight points over a six-minute stretch behind five, three-point possessions to put the game out of reach 
 
PHOTO GALLERY
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Grad student Traci Carter handed out six assists
• The Hawks shot 48.6 percent from the field in the opening half (18-of-37), but went just 21.9 percent (7-of-32) in the final stanza
• Sacred Heart cashed in from the free-throw line, going 20-for-24
• The Pioneers shot 60 percent (15-of-25) in the decisive second half, including 6-for-10 from behind the arc
• Cameron Parker dished out a game-best 12 assists, while E.J. Anosike compiled a double-double (22 points, 18 assists) to pace Sacred Heart

 
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks return to action on Saturday, Dec. 14, when they play host to Wagner at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling 860-768-HAWK or by clicking here.