WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Hartford men's basketball team battled hard but fell short to Western New England University Tuesday evening with a final score 88-60.

• Sophomore Joshua Petion (Brooklyn, N.Y.) quickly lofted the ball into the net in the opening 18 seconds to strike first against the Golden Bears. Both teams went point for point in the next six minutes and stood even 9-9 with Petion giving the Hawks four of those points. The Golden Bears found their rhythm late in the first half putting up an 11-0 run against the Hawks. Sophomore Kaosi Chijioke (Atlanta, Ga.) broke their stride sinking a jump shot through the net, junior Drew Stack claimed his first points of this match-up with a clutch three from deep with 2:29 remaining in the first. Petition continued to be solid in the paint for the Hawks putting away key lay-ups, chipping down the lead to ten with 1:23 to go, 33-23. The Golden Bears closed out at the free throw line with Matt Houde swishing both, 37-23. 
• Chijioke set the tone for the second half opening minutes by knocking down two quick jumpers both made off of clean passes by sophomore Zach Skinner (Berlin, Conn.). The Golden Bears maintained their distance from the Hawks, Tim Restall found space under the rim for quick two-pointers, 47-33 with 15:16 on the clock. Chijioke added his 16th point to the stats sheet tonight driving through the Golden Bears and laying it in off the glass. The Golden Bears remained solid all over the court pulling away from the Hawks with an 8-0 run, big plays made by Brian Geitner and Nate Kasper. With under five minutes remaining the Golden Bears strengthened their lead to 28, 78-51. The Hawks continued to fight as freshman Cooper Galdenzi (Clinton, Conn.) stepped back from the arc and drained a three, his tenth point tonight. The Golden Bears closed out this match 88-60.

• Chijioke led the Hawks tonight with 16 points (8-18 FG, 0-3 3-PT, 0-0) along with 11 rebounds. Petition matched Chijioke's 16 points (7-13 FG, 0-1 3-PT, 2-2 FT) and four rebounds. Cooper Galdenzi claimed an impressive ten points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3-PT, 0-0) and nabbed two rebounds.
• The Golden Bears leader was Brian Geitner with 22 points (9-16 FG, 2-7 3-PT, 2-2 FT) and two rebounds.
• The Golden Bears lead in defensive rebounds 32-23 over the Hawks.

The Hawks will face-off against Gordon College this Saturday February 1st at 3:00 p.m.