The University of Hartford men's basketball team held Baruch scoreless for nearly the final four minutes and scored the final six points of the game to open the season with the 66-62 upset victory Friday at the Chase Arena in Reich Family Pavilion.

It marked the first Hartford victory for head coach Aaron Toomey as the Hawks kicked off its NCAA Division III era.

When it was needed the defense stepped up for the Hawks. The stout defensive effort came on the heels of a 20-6 Baruch run that gave the Bearcats just their second lead of the game. From there, the Hawks forced four turnovers and three missed baskets to secure the victory.

Hartford seized control of the game with a 15-5 run turning a two-point deficit into a 12-point lead in a four-minute span that stretched the end of the first half and the beginning of the second. Four players, led by eight points from graduate Trayon Rumley, scored in the aforementioned run.

Rumley led the way with a career-high 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting, while freshman Stephen Akwiwu opened his collegiate career with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Freshman Josh Petion was 4-of-4, including both of his three-point attempts, for 10 points. Senior Beluolisah Oranye pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds to go along with eight points.


INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Baruch is coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
• The win snapped a four-game losing streak in season openers.
• Senior Isaiah Rice made his first career start at point guard and finished with three assists with zero turnovers.
• Freshman Henry Herman has a team-high four assists.
• Hartford finished with a plus-12 rebound margin, outrebounding Baruch 37-25.
• The two teams combined for 16 free throw attempts, eight each. Akwiwu was 4-for-6 from the line.

WHAT'S NEXT
Hartford (1-0) has a quick turnaround as the Hawks travel to Trinity (1-0) 2 p.m. Sunday in non-conference action.