The University of Hartford men's basketball team fought tooth and nail with the reigning Commonwealth Coast Conference champions, but at the end of the day, it wasn't quite enough as the Hawks fell to Nichols, 78-71, Wednesday inside the Chase Family Arena.

After freshman Henry Herman trimmed the deficit to two with 2:37 remaining, the Bison closed the game by scoring nine of the last 13 points to secure the victory. Hartford connected on just one of its last eight shots.

Hartford had its skills on full display in the first half as Herman capped a 12-4 run that had the Hawks flying high with an 11-point advantage. The lead was still double figures following a freshman Steve Akwiwu lay-up with 3:44 remaining.

However, Nichols proved why they have been the class of the CCC.

The Bison scored 11 consecutive points over the next two minutes to pull even and took the lead with a three-pointer with 48 seconds remaining in the half. However, Akwiwu helped Hartford take the lead into the half with a jumper.

Once the 28-9 run, spanning the end of the first half and beginning of the second, concluded – Nichols had pushed its lead to eight points.

Hartford didn't go away, getting to within a one-possession game on several occasions. But, the Hawks couldn't quite get over the hump.

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Three players reached double figures, led by Akwiwu – who tallied his third straight double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out. He finished with a career-high four blocks.
• Herman tallied a career-high 14 points, making his first three-pointers of the season. He had not attempted a long-distance shot all season. Herman added four assists.
• Hartford's leading scorer, Trayon Rumley, finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
• Freshman Kaosi Chijioke added a career-high eight points and tied a career-high with six boards.
• The Hawks played without senior Beluolisah Oranye.
• Three players – Herman (38), Akwiwu (35), and Rumley (35) – played at least 30 minutes and posted career-highs in minutes played.
• Hartford was plus-10 on the glass (49-39). The Hawks had 18 offensive rebounds, leading to 15 second-chance points.

WHAT'S NEXT
Hartford (2-3 overall, 0-1 CCC opponents) travels to Gordon 3 p.m. Saturday.