WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Hartford men's basketball team nabbed their first win of 2025 in a big win over Gordon College, 85-81. 

Rapid Recap:

• The score was tied up early in the first half at 6-6 with a dunk from sophomore Kaosi Chijioke (Atlanta, Ga.) and a solid block by junior Drew Stack (Madison, N.J.). The Fighting Scots found their rhythm running a six point lead with 10:28 remaining in the first. Freshamn Troy Santos (Taunton, Mass.) brought their momentum to a halt knocking down a three and making a steal to set up sophomore Joshua Petion (Brooklyn, N.Y.) for a quick jump-shot closing the lead to just 18-16.  Teams found themselves in some foul trouble trading free throws as Hawks were trailing by just two points with 7:42 on the clock. Freshman Reggie Selden (Franklinville, N.J.) grabbed crucial rebounds to keep the Hawks in this game. Chijioke ended this first half with a smooth jump shot to bring us into the half. The Fighting Scots lead 37-34 as the first comes to an end. 
• The Hawks picked up where they left off, Stack swiped the ball right from a Fighting Scot and knocked down a huge three that brought the fans to their feet. Chijioke was right behind slamming down a three of his own off the hands of Santos to take the lead 41-39 with 18:01 remaining. The teams go on to have seven lead changes in the rest of this half. Big plays made by Stack, Santos, and Chijioke to keep the Hawks in this fight. The Fighting Scots Brandon Swann brought down the Hawks lead to just one with a three-pointer. The Hawks played smart and were both aggressive on offense and defense moving through the final minutes of this game. Sophomore Jaylen Brown (Baldwin, N.Y.) had some key points off the bench knocking down a three with less than four minutes to go the Hawks hold their lead at 74-69. Chijioke was also solid in this second half putting away important lay-ups nabbing crucial rebounds to set these Hawks up for a win. The Fighting Scots were forced to foul in the final minutes and with Selden holding strong at the line the Hawks took this win at 85-81. 

Post Game Press: 
"I think I started off slow," said Chijioke, "thankfully all the other starters got the momentum our team needed, Our coaches really emphasized not giving up on the 1st effort and keep going never giving up, credit to my work and God, this is huge claiming a second conference win and sets us up for the next one. "

"We created good looks early. Kaosi stepped up today, I talked to Stack after the game that he will face match ups again as he did today and we will learn to overcome. Reggie and Troy made big plays, everyone made big plays to bring us this win," said head coach Aaron Toomey. "It was nice to settle into the game as we moved into the second half, we have a tendency to get down and then fight back and we have managed to fight back in each of these games but I would like us to fight back sooner."

Inside the Numbers:

• Chijioke had a season-high in rebounds grabbing an impressive 14 off the board along with 23 points, (9-19 FG, 1-3 3PT, 4-6 FT), next leader for the Hawks was Petion adding 16 points (7-12 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-3 FT) and eight rebounds. Santos continues to be a crucial member of this team all over the court, he today added 14 points (4-12 FG, 2-5 3PT, 4-4 FT) and five rebounds.
• The Fighting Scots leader was Bernie McGuinness with 25 points (9-20 FG, 5-12 3PT, 2-2 FT) and four rebounds.
• The Hawks dominated with points in the paint with 36 while the Fighting Scots had 26. 

Up Next: 
The Hawks will be on the road traveling to Dudley, Mass. to face off against Nichols College this Tuesday January 7th at 7:30 p.m.

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