WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  - The Hartford men's basketball team faced off against Western New England University this Wednesday evening with a key Conference of New England (CNE) match-up. The Hawks fell short with a final score of 65-55.

Rapid Recap:

• Hartford found their rhythm early in this match up, putting up four straight points on the Golden Bears in the opening 90 seconds. WNE quickly stalled their momentum, dropping a quick three from the hands of Avery Mickens. The two teams seemed to trade runs as we moved through the opening half keeping the intensity high. Sophomore River Eberhardt (Berlin, Conn.) made big plays collecting offensive boards and driving to the rim to keep the Hawks ahead. The Golden Bears nabbed their first lead of the half off another three-pointer switching the momentum into their direction. The teams remained within arms reach of each other as the first progressed. Trips to the line were essential as the Hawks earned 12 points in this quarter to chase down their lead. Sophomore Jaron Broomfield (Bronx, N.Y.) continued to dominate under the glass as he showed in his previous game performances to maintain pressure on the Golden Bears. With two minutes remaining, teams stood even at 23-23. It was sophomore Cooper Galdenzi (Clinton, Conn.) to pull the Hawks out of this half ahead with a layup right by the Golden Bears defense. 
• Tensions rose in this second half as every possession and point mattered in this close game. Junior Kyle Winters (Corte Madera, Calif.) used some footwork to drop a step back jumper under pressure, yet within 15 seconds the Golden Bears matched their jumper with one of their own. Eberhardt was consistent at the glass and in the paint to keep the Hawks locked in. Eight minutes into the seconds another equalizer faced the teams both sharing 39 points. Winters danced at the arc yet again to sink a key triple, then sophomore Jaron Broomfield (Bronx, N.Y.) created some space and got the fans on their feet with a powerful dunk. Junior Joshua Petion (Brooklyn, N.Y.) cleaned it up at the free-throw line to build their strongest lead of the half to seven, 50-43 with under eight to go. Yet, the Hawks struggled to keep hold of the ball and the Golden Bears capitalized on their mistakes, building their lead back up to an equalizer now 54-54. Despite strength from the Hawks at gathering boards the team struggled to put points on the board, they set up clean pieces, great movement off the ball but were unable to sink shots when needed. The Golden Bears were lifted up with calls going their way and an and-1 to silence the crowd, now up 61-55 with 45 seconds remaining. The Golden Bears ran away with the win, 65-55.

Inside The Numbers:

• Eberhardt led the Hawks this evening putting up 15 points (7-16 FG, 0-5 3PT, 1-1 FT) collecting seven rebounds, along with two assists, one block, and two steals.  Next to lead was Winters tallying 11 points (3-10 FG, 2-8 3PT, 3-5 FT) gathering five rebounds and one assist. Broomfield also showed his strength tonight with 10 points (3-9 FG, 0-5 3PT, 4-6 FT) taking down 11 boards and forcing one steal.
• For the Golden Bears, Luka Vlajkovic dropped 20 points (8-15 FG, 1-2 3PT, 3-7FT) along with 13 rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
• WNE capitalized off of fast break points out-scoring the Hawks 13-4, and the Hawks struggled beyond the arc shooting 3-23. Despite the outcome the Hawks  held their lead for 62% of the game.

Up Next:
The Hawks will continue to host as we move into the weekend to face-off against Johnson and Wales University this Saturday, January 31st with the Basketball Alumni and Senior Day with a tip-off at 3:00 p.m. to cap the month of January. 

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