POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.  - The Hartford men's basketball team competed in the Vassar College Tip-Off Tournament Championship game this Saturday evening. The Hawks faced off against Vassar College ultimately falling short with a final score of 89-74.
 
Rapid Recap:

• Vassar opened this championship match up with a heavy early punch, surging in front behind the perimeter shooting and a series of second-chance baskets to push their lead to double digits just four minutes of play, 15-4. The Brewers continued to extend their lead earning a 12-point string of points without an answer from the Hawks. Sophomore Cooper Galdenzi (Clinton, Conn.) made an attempt to chase at their tails breaking up their sprees knocking in a few contested jumpers. Late in the first half senior Drew Stack (Madison, N.J.) found his rhythm sinking threes beyond the arc to chip away at the Brewers strong lead. The Hawks headed into half-time trailing by 20, with a score of 53-33.
• Stack opened the second half maintaining his consistency from the arc draining necessary threes for the team. Junior Joshua Petion(Brooklyn, N.Y.) were the Hawks go-to in this second half to match the Brewers points with lay-ups of his own. Freshman Ben Miller (Milford, Conn.) stepped up for the Hawks in this second half matching the Brewers' big threes with deep threes of his own. Vassar maintained control of this game though, continuing to hit from long range and secure rebounds, preventing Hartford from closing the gap. Half-way through this second half, the Brewers went for a 14-point run, forcing Hawk errors and sinking big points with less than nine minutes remaining, 74-46. Junior Kyle Winters (Corte Madera, Calif.) created opportunities for the Hawks through steals and fast-break points. Despite Hartford's efforts to rally, they were unable to make baskets and apply the necessary pressure to halt the Brewers domination. Hartford made moments of noise with small runs but the deficit proved too large to overcome as Vassar closed out the game 89-74.

Inside The Numbers:

• Stack led the offensive output with 14 points (4-12 FG, 4-11 3PT) in just 26 minutes. Miller had a strong performance tonight putting up 13 points (4-7 FG, 3-6 3PT, 2-2 FT). Galdenzi knocked down 13 points as well for the Hawks (5-11 FG, 3-7 3PT) nabbing three rebounds and two steals. Stack would be named to the All-Tournament Team following the contest. 
• Avery Lee for the Brewers was lights out tonight dropping 35 points (12-22 FG, 8-14 3PT, 3-3 FT) grabbing four rebounds off the rim. Parker Neuenhaus led the defensive charge for the Brewers collecting nine rebounds, putting up one block, and claiming 10 points in his 21 minutes of play.
• The Brewers were strong under the net going for 59-35 rebounds over the Hawks, Hartford found its strength on the bench tonight with 42 of the 74 came from their incoming subs.

Up Next:
The Hawks will take on Dean College this Wednesday, November 19th on the road with a tip-off of 7:00 P.M.
 
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