A half-court heave clanged off the back of the rim as time expired and the University of Hartford men's basketball team suffered the 80-77 loss to Commonwealth Coast Conference foe Roger Williams Wednesday in the Chase Family Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.

Roger Williams took control of the game with a lightning-quick 12-0 run that consisted of three-pointers on three straight possessions, the latter of which was accompanied by a foul. Hartford went from a five-point lead to a seven-point deficit in four minutes.

Hartford's deficit grew to as much as 13 before the Hawks battled back. The Hawks got to within two with a 13-2 spurt. RWU hit a pair of free throws, and freshman Henry Herman's three-point play had the Hawks down one with eight seconds remaining.

With no foul called, RWU was able to get a lay-up with two seconds remaining, leaving the door open for Hartford's last gasp that missed by inches.

Freshman Kaosi Chijioke led a quartet of double-figure scorers with a career-high tying 19 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while freshman Stephen Akwiwu added 18 points, seven rebounds, a team-high four assists and four steals.

Graduate student Trayon Rumley pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds to go along with 12 points. Senior Beluolisah Oranye contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Hartford pulled down 19 offensive rebounds, leading to 15 second-chance points. The Hawks held the overall edge, 47-33. It's the eighth time this season Hartford held a double-figure advantage on the glass.
• Fifty of Hartford's 77 points came in the paint.
• The game featured eight lead changes and three ties.
• The Hawks shot 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the foul line.
• Chijioke has reached double figures in three of the last four games.
• Hartford is now 2-5 in the seven games in which four players have reached double digits.

WHAT'S NEXT
Hartford (6-14, 4-9 CCC opponents) travels to Endicott 3 p.m. Saturday.