BOSTON, Mass. - Freshman Joshua Petion scored a career-high 26 points as the University of Hartford dominated the second half in recording the 80-66 victory over Wentworth Institute of Technology Tuesday at the Tansey Gymnasium. 

Hartford weathered the hot shooting of the Leopards early, but never allowed the host to run away in the first 20 minutes. Wentworth shot a blistering 68 percent (17-of-25) from the field, including 66.7 percent (6-of-9) from three-point range in the opening half. However, the WIT lead was just six points. 

Petion played a key role in keeping Hartford close with 12 of his 26 points in the first half. Coming into the contest, his previous career-high was 10 points scored in the season opener.  

The Hawks seized the momentum in the game with 14-3 run late in the second half. Petion scored six of the 14 points as four different Hartford players scored. Hartford forced four turnovers and harrassed WIT into 1-of-5 shooting during the game's deciding stretch.  

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES 

• Four players reached double figures, tied for the most in any game this season.  

• Freshman Stephen Akwiwu finished with 15 points, six rebounds and a career-high six assists. 

• Graduate student Trayon Rumley and freshman Henry Herman added 13 points apiece in the win. Herman added five assists for the Hawks. 

• It's the first time in four games that Hartford had the same starting lineup in back-to-back games.  

• Freshman Kaosi Chijioke added eight points and nine rebounds. Since moving into the starting lineup three games ago, he is averaging 10 rebounds per game.  

WHAT'S NEXT 

Hartford (4-3 overall, 2-1 CCC opponents) returns to action 7:30 p.m. Thursday, traveling to Johnson & Wales.