ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Missed free throws ultimately came back to haunt the University of Hartford men's basketball team as the Hawks fell to Nazareth Saturday in overtime, 77-76, inside Kidera Gymnasium.
 
Hartford missed the front end of a pair of one-and-one, including one with five seconds remaining in a tie game on the last two possessions of regulation. For the game, the Hawks shot just 46.7 percent (7-of-15) from the charity stripe.
 
After Nazareth missed its free throw with 11 seconds remaining in overtime, freshman Henry Herman missed the driving layup and then had his putback attempt blocked with two seconds remaining to allow the Golden Flyers to walk away with the victory.
 
The Hawks overcame a pair of nine-point deficits in the second half.
 
Herman and freshman Steven Akwiwu keyed a 10-1 run early in the second half to knot the game at 39. However, Nazareth quickly responded following its timeout with an 11-2 spurt to reclaim the nine-point advantage. The Hawks immediately countered with a corresponding 11-2 run to pull even again.
 
It appeared as if Hartford would seize control of the game by scoring seven straight points for a five-point lead with less than four minutes left. The lead was still five with 2:11 remaining and four points with 1:31 left, but the aforementioned free throw missed led to overtime.
 
Nazareth opened up its first double-figure lead (25-15) in the first half, and the bulge would grow to as much as 13 in the stanza. Following a three-pointer by Beloulisah Oranye, Hartford trailed by seven going into the locker room.
 
Akwiwu finished with his fourth double-double of the season, scoring a career-high 25 points with 10 rebounds. He added four assists and two blocks.
 
Rumley added 13 points, while Herman contributed 11 points, eight rebounds, and five rebounds. Freshman Joshua Petition finished with 10 points, and Oranye pulled down 12 rebounds.
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• For the seventh time this season, Hartford won the battle of the glass. They are 4-3 in those games.
• This marks the fourth time this season, Akwiwu has scored at least 20 points.
• Rumley has scored in double figures in eight of the team's 10 games.
• It's the sixth time this season Herman has led the team in assists. He tied a career-high with eight rebounds.

 
WHAT'S NEXT
Hartford (4-6 overall, 2-1 CCC opponents) caps a six-game road swing, traveling to the University of New England 7 p.m. Monday.