DUDLEY, Mass. The Hartford Hawks dropped to 2-2 in Conference play this season as they traveled to the Commonwealth to take on Nichols College in a Conference of New England (CNE)  match up on Tuesday, as they were not able to secure the W, losing 80-72. 

Rapid Recap:

• The Bison would open the scoring in this CNE match up as they got off to an early 6-0 run. However, Hartford would quickly retaliate with a tough bucket from sophomore Kaosi Chijoke (Atlanta, Ga) and an and-one from freshman Reggie Selden (Franklinville, NJ). The Hawks would work their way to 8-10 lead after a little over five minutes. A couple of three pointers from Nichols, would put them ahead 19-10 with 10:30 to go in the first half. Hartford would try to cut into the Nichols lead with some shooting of their own as Chijoke would knock home a triple, as well as a pair of layups from freshman Troy Santos (Taunton, Ma) and Selden. Nichols would continue their offensive prowess, as the Hawks trailed eight 25-33. Santos would will the Hartford team back into the game knocking down a step back three and finding Selden on the fast break to generate a 5-0 run to close out the first half, 30-33 Nichols.
• Nichols college would again open up the scoring to start the second half knocking down a free throw coming off a foul charged to sophomore Joshua Petion (Brooklyn, NY)  to put them up four. Nichols would continue their scoring with back to back dunks, their lead would expand 38-31. Sophomore Jaylen Brown (Baldwin, NY) would end the dry spell with a baseline drive and layup. Foul trouble would plague the Hawks as Petion picked up his fourth foul early in the second half. Freshman River Eberhardt (Berlin,CT) showed some defensive skills causing back to back turnovers with a steal and charge. Hartford would capitalize with Chijoke hitting a turnaround jumper to cut the Bison lead to eight 43-37 with just over fifteen minutes to go. Some stellar defense from both sides would create a dry spell over the next two minutes, only to be stopped by a chase-down block and layup for Nichols. A three pointer from sophomore Drew Stack (Madison, NJ) would cut the Bison lead to 10, but Nichols would get two buckets unanswered to put them up 54-40 with a little over ten minutes to go. Chijoke would continue to shoot the ball well, knocking down a three pointer for Hartford that would cut the lead to eleven. However the Bison would retaliate with a 6-0 run that would put them up 17 with 8:40 left to play. Hartford would fight back as Petion would score a bucket and draw a foul, however he was not able to convert the and one opportunity and instead Hartford retained possession, and Chijoke knocked down a free throw line jumper. Next possession Chijoke would draw a foul and knock down both free throws putting Hartford down 60-49. With seven and a half to go, Petion would commit his fifth foul and exit the game. Freshman Cooper Galdenzi (Clinton, Conn.) knocked down a triple with four and a half to go putting the score at 68-56. The Bison would continue to keep the Hawks at bay as with two minutes to go Nichols lead 75-61. Late in the game the Hartford fight was still alive and well, as freshman Jaron Broomfield (Bronx, NY)  would notch a bucket, steal and knock down two free throws. But it would not be enough as Nichols College found themselves the victor 80-72.

Inside the Numbers:

• Chijoke lead the Hawks in scoring, as he notched 20 Points (8-16 FG, 2-4 3PT, 2-2 FT) as well as six rebounds, and one assist. Santos scored 15 points (4-11 FG, 1-5 3PT, 6-7 FT) as well as three boards and two assists. Selden finished with 10 points (4-10 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-3 FT) five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block. Stack finished with nine points (3-8 FG, 3-8 3PT) to go along with two boards two assists and a steal. Petion secured seven points (2-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-5 FT)  four rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal. 
• Javen Flowers-Smith (3-12 FG, 0-4 3PT, 8-10 FT) and Luke Chapman (6-8 FG, 2-4 3PT) lead Nichols in scoring with 14 points each. 
• Hartford had three starters in foul trouble Chijoke (3), Brown (4), and Petion (5).

Up Next:
The Hawks will take on Curry College at home on Sat. Jan 11.

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