WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Graduate student Traci Carter dropped a game-high 21 points as the Hartford men's basketball team defeated fifth-seeded UAlbany, 61-49 this afternoon. With the victory, the Hawks advance to the America East Playoffs semifinals, where they will travel to face UMBC on Wednesday.
 
Hartford (12-19), improves to 10-9 in America East action with the win. UAlbany ends their season with a 13-18 record.
 
HARTFORD 61, UALBANY 49
The first half started out slow, with neither team finding the bottom of the net in the opening six minutes. Moses Flowers put an end the scoring drought, making a tough layup to give the Hawks the lead at the 14:52 mark. UAlbany would use a 7-2 run to take a 7-4 advantage with 12:31 remaining in the half. Hartford would regain the lead a few moments later after a Traci Carter corner three, 9-8. After the Great Danes regained the lead, Carter would nail a deep-range three, leveling the score at 12-12 at the 7:08 mark. From there, the Hawks would go on a scoring tear. David Shriver sunk two triples in the closing stages while Carter knocked down another three of his own, as the Hawks exploded for a 9-0 run. Hartford would use the late scoring stretch to take a 26-13 lead into the half.
 
Hartford carried its momentum over into the second half, opening up on a 7-2 run. Shriver drained a triple to end the stretch, giving the Hawks a 33-15 lead. UAlbany responded with a 10-2 run of its own, cutting the Hawks lead to 35-25. Williams cut the Great Danes momentum with five straight points. Williams scoring outburst sparked a 7-0 run for Hartford, increasing its lead to 42-25 at the 8:58 mark. UAlbany continued to fight back, pulling within single digits, 49-40, with 5:27 left in the second half. The Great Danes got as close as six points, but a 6-0 Hartford stretch, featuring six Hawks' free throws gave Hartford a 57-44 lead. UAlbany would get back within 10, however the Hawks prevent the Great Danes from getting back in the game, advancing to the semifinals after a 61-49 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Carter finished with a game-high 21 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the free throw line
• Shriver tallied 16 points, going 4-of-9 from beyond the arc
• Williams rounded out the Hawks double-digit scorers, dropping 14 points
• He also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds
• D.J. Mitchell dished out a team-high three assists while recording two steals
• UAlbany held a slim 41-38 advantage in rebounding
• Hartford outshot UAlbany, 38.1 percent compared to 25.8 percent

 
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks will travel to face the second-seeded UMBC Retrievers on Thursday. Tipoff in the America East Playoffs semifinals is set for 7 p.m. For an inside look at Hartford men's basketball, stay with HartfordHawks.com for updates and follow the team on social media: Twitter | Instagram