PROVIDENCE, R.I.  - The Hartford men's basketball team picked up its third straight victory on Tuesday night, downing Johnson & Wales University by a 79-63 final. 

Rapid Recap:

• The Wildcats jumped ahead 7-3 over the first three minutes. Junior Kaosi Chijioke (Suwanee, Ga.) scored back-to-back buckets to kick start a 9-0 run as Hartford jumped in front 12-7. Junior Kyle Winters (Corte Madera, Calif.) would score four consecutive points for the Hawks and after a triple for sophomore Jaron Broomfield (Bronx, N.Y.) Hartford saw a 22-17 lead with 10:47 to play in the half. The Wildcats would continue to slowly chip away the lead trailing now 29-27 with 5:05 to play in the first half. Senior Drew Stack (Madison, N.J.) would catch fire knocking down three triples including an and-one three as Hartford would lead 43-33 into the break. 
• Hartford would open the second half on a 15-6 run highlighted by seven points for sophomore River Eberhardt (Berlin, Conn.). Winters would continue to add to the Hawk lead getting a pair of buckets as the lead grew to 64-42 with 10:17 to play. The teams would trade buckets with Hartford holding the comfortable lead. Freshman Daniel Nason (New Fairfield, Conn.) put together some nice minutes late throwing down a dunk, while also getting another paint finish. The Hawks would hold the lead the entire second half winning by the 16 point margin. 

Post Game Press:
"Using the momentum from the new year, we have taken the steps necessary to put us in a good spot for Saturday", said sophomore River Eberhardt (Berlin, Conn.). "It's going to come down to our intensity and attention to detail to beat a good team like Endicott. We are capable and excited for this opportunity and to continue to build upon our winning streak."

Inside The Numbers:

• Eberhardt picked up his first collegiate double-double in the victory posting 12 points (5-10 FG, 1-4 3PT, 1-2 FT) to go with 10 rebounds and three assists. River has now scored in double-figures in four of his last five games. Stack led the Hawk scorers with 16 points (5-12 FG, 5-11 3PT, 1-1 FT) to go with five boards. Winters put together a good stat line with 11 points (5-14 FG, 1-4 3PT), six assists, five rebounds and a pair of steals. Chijioke added nine points (3-7 FG, 3-6 FT) and eight rebounds in just 15 minutes. 
• Silas Sawtelle led the Wildcats with 21 points (8-14 FG, 4-6 3PT, 1-1 FT) to go with four rebounds. 
• Hartford held a 34-20 points in the paint margin along with a 26-12 advantage in bench points in the win. 

Up Next:
The Hawks will host #22 Endicott College on Saturday with a 3:00 PM tip. 

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