BIDDEFORD, Maine  - The Hartford men's basketball team concluded its 2025-26 season on Saturday failing to defeat the University of New England for a Conference of New England (CNE) playoff berth. The Hawks fell to the Nor'easters by a 81-78 final. 

Rapid Recap:

• The Hawks held an early 10-9 lead after the first five minutes, but the Nor'easters rattled off seven in a row to take a six point advantage. Junior Kaosi Chijioke (Suwanee, Ga.) buried a three followed by another from junior Kyle Winters (Corte Madera, Calif.) as the game was back to even. The home team kept the momentum holding the lead over the next five minutes, while later extending it to 30-24 with 5:33 to play in the first half. Chijioke and Winters teamed up yet again for another six-point flurry to draw the score level once more. The Nor'easters went on a 7-0 run to respond. Hartford would chip away, but UNE held a 46-40 lead at the break. 
• The Nor'easters were electric out of the second half scoring the first eight points in a matter of just three minutes to push the lead to 14 points. Winters would slow UNE momentarily scoring two layups followed by free throws for freshman Ben Miller (Milford, Conn.) as the lead was back down to 58-48. After UNE would get the lead back to 14, the Hawks would finally get a huge run going on a 15-2 run highlighted by three triples as the Nor'easters lead was just one with 9:16 to play. UNE would respond again with a thunderous 11-2 run as the lead hit double-digits with 4:02 left. Winters and Miller knocked down consecutive threes to cut the game back to four points. Chijioke would make four free throws to keep Hartford within striking distance. Winters finished a layup with 10 ticks left the keep the game within two. UNE would make a free throw to get the three point lead. Winters and Chijioke had two good chances to tie, but fell short to end the Hawks season. 

Inside The Numbers:

• Winters led Hartford totaling 24 points (10-16 FG, 4-8 3PT), eight rebounds and two assists. Chijioke notched 21 points (4-14 FG, 2-4 3PT, 11-13 FT), 11 rebounds and two assists. Miller added 21 points (6-12 FG, 2-5 3PT, 7-7 FT) and two assists in the loss.
• Jayden Thornton led the Nor'easters to the playoffs scoring 22 points (7-19 FG, 6-14 3PT, 2-4 FT) and three rebounds. Adrian Torres added 18 points (8-15 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-5 FT), seven assists, five boards and two steals in the win.
• UNE won the paint by a 32-20 margin while also securing a 16-7 second chance points differential. 

Up Next:
This concludes the Hartford men's basketball season at 13-12 and 7-9 in CNE competition. 

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