WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  - The Hartford men's basketball team picked up its eight win of the season on Saturday defeating Suffolk University by a 67-64 final.   

Rapid Recap:

• Hartford jumped ahead 7-0 capped highlighted by two baskets by junior Joshua Petion (Brooklyn, N.Y.). The Rams countered with a 10-2 run to take the lead after six minutes of play. Sophomore River Eberhardt (Berlin, Conn.) threw down a jam in transition before scoring another layup as the Hawks held a four-point lead after the run. The teams continued to trade baskets, but Suffolk would gain the momentum with a 10-2 run to pickup a 26-20 advantage with 7:09 to play. Junior Kyle Winters (Corte Madera, Calif.) hit a triple followed by a paint finish for junior Leonard Pelzer (Berlin, Germany) to cut the Ram lead to just a single point, but Suffolk would once again respond to take a 34-30 lead into the break. 
• The Rams would hold the advantage after the break pushing the lead to double-digits with 17:57 to play. Eberhardt would score seven Hawk points in a row to cut the lead to 46-41. Junior Kaosi Chijioke (Suwanee, Ga.) added a transition layup, but Suffolk would hold the lead by a seven point advantage with 11:34. Hartford continued to chip away going on a flurry to cut the lead to 52-49. The teams would trade baskets with the Hawks jumping in front 60-59 on a triple made by Eberhardt. Senior Drew Stack (Madison, N.J.) would add two free throws as the lead was four points with 3:55 to play. The Rams scored four points to get the lead back with 1:53 left. Winters would knock down a clutch jumper as Hartford jumped in front 64-63. Suffolk would split free throws, but Winters would get fouled a make both as the Hawks led 66-64. The Rams would miss twice with a Stack rebound and free throw to clinch the win. 

Post Game Press:
"It was a great team effort, everyone came in and competed", said sophomore River Eberhardt (Berlin, Conn.). "We were down by 10 at one point, and we never dipped in confidence. We never quit and pulled through."

"It was an interesting game, we didn't play our best for some stretches, but what this team continues to do is just find a way and it takes a lot of mental fortitude and our group has done a really good job so far this year at just making plays when it matters most", said head coach Aaron Toomey.

Inside The Numbers:

• Eberhardt had a breakout performance in the win with a career-high 22 points (7-12 FG, 2-5 3PT, 6-7 FT), four rebounds and two assists. Winters followed with 14 points (5-11 FG, 2-4 3PT, 2-2 FT) and three boards. Petion finished with eight points (3-5 FG, 2-3 FT) and nine rebounds, while Pelzer in the spot start ended with six points (3-5 FG), four rebounds, two assists and two blocks. 
• Greg Keane led the Rams with 15 points (5-8 FG, 5-7 FT) and six boards, while Hatcher Nordquist added 15 points (7-13 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT) and seven rebounds. 
• Hartford used a 10-2 2nd chance points advantage to their benefit as well as a 19-13 made free throw differential. 

Up Next:
The Hawks will travel to Johnson & Wales Unviersity on January 6th at 7:30 PM. 

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