WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Sophomore forward Miroslav Stafl matched a season-high in scoring with 17 points on Sunday as Hartford men's basketball cruised to a 75-61 victory against NJIT inside Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion. A season-best five netted double figures for the Hawks, who shot a season-best 58.3 percent in the win.
 
Hartford (11-8 overall) improves to 8-6 in the America East, while NJIT (7-9), which took Saturday's series opener, moves to 6-8 in conference action.
 
PHOTO GALLERY



HARTFORD 75, NJIT 61
Hartford got off to a hot start thanks in part to Williams, who single-handedly outscored NJIT during the game's first 10-plus minutes. Reaching double figures on a three with 14:08 left in the first, the senior's final points of the half — a jumper with 13:19 left — capped a 12-3 run that put the Hawks ahead, 18-8. 
 
Hartford, which led by as many as 20 on two occasions in the opening half, was hot throughout that stretch, shooting a season-high 68 percent from the field (17-of-25). In addition to Williams, Stafl was key in helping the Hawks build a 42-28 lead at the break with 13 first-half points.
 
The Hawks continued to roll after intermission. Opening up the half with eight-unanswered points, including back-to-back three-pointers from grad student Traci Carter, they extended the advantage to 50-28 with 18:30 remaining. But NJIT rallied and cut the deficit to 54-42 with a 14-4 run before pulling within 12 on a Zach Cooks jumper with 12:24 left. The Highlanders wouldn't get any closer, though, as the Hawks sealed the victory with a late 10-2 run.
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• The Hawks went 28-for-48 from the field (58.3%), including 9-for-19 (47.4%) from behind the arc
• Stafl had an efficient game, going 7-for-10 from the field while adding five rebounds
• Williams finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, while junior Hunter Marks added 11 points and seven boards
• Rounding out the Hawks' double-digit scorers was Carter (3-for-4 3-pt FG) and sophomore PJ Henry, who had 15 and 10 points, respectively
• Hartford held a 34-27 advantage on the boards
• Cooks led all scorers with 24 points, his second straight contest with that point total

 
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 24, when they host UAlbany for a single contest. Tipoff from Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion has not been set yet.