SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Graduate student Trayon Rumley and freshman Stephen Akwiwu combined for 30 points as the University of Hartford men's basketball team fell to Commonwealth Coast Conference foe Western New England, 59-45, Wednesday at the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center. 

Rumley finished with 18 points, his second-most scoring performance on the season, on 7-of-15 shooting and six rebounds. Akwiwu finished with 12 points and five rebounds.

An early 11-4 run by the Golden Bears provided enough cushion that Hartford couldn't overcome. Akwiwu accounted for all four points in the run as Hartford shot 1-of-10 from the floor. Defensively, the Hawks forced three turnovers and held WNE to 30 percent from the floor, but the Golden Bears connected on all five of their free throws in the stretch.

Another quick spurt, this time as WNE scored 10 of 14 points in the second half pretty much put the game away.

INSIDE BOX & NOTES

• Akwiwu has scored in double figures 19 times this season, including 10 straight. With his five rebounds, he will need 10 boards Saturday to tie the freshman rebounding mark.
• For the 15th time this season, Rumley has reached double figures.
• Freshman Kaosi Chijioke recorded a team-high eight rebounds. It was the eighth time this season he led the team in boards.
• Freshman Henry Herman had a career-high four steals.

WHAT'S NEXT
Hartford (7-17 overall, 5-12 CCC opponents) wraps up the season 3 p.m. Saturday, hosting the University of New England. The Hawks will honor the contributions of Rumley and senior Beluolisah Oranye in a ceremony immediately following the women's basketball game.