Hartwick and Nazareth Win Key E8 Matchup

2/18/2014 9:22:00 PM

Nazareth and Hartwick each improved to 9-4 in the conference with wins on Tuesday night. The Golden Flyers and Hawks are now in a first-place tie in the standings with Stevens. St. John Fisher stands a half-game out at 9-5, and Alfred is a game out at 8-5.


Hartwick  78, Stevens 72 (Box Score)
The Hartwick men's basketball team trailed by 14 points early in the first half but rallied to tie the game and eventually hung on for a 78-72 win over Stevens in a key Empire 8 contest on Tuesday night at Lambros Arena. 

The Hawks found themselves in an early hole as Stevens had a 14-1 lead at 14:34. Hartwick missed its first six shots until Jared Suderley converted a layup at 14:24 for the team's first field goal.

The Ducks' lead increased to 18-4 at 12:51 after a layup A 10-3 'Wick run knocked the lead to seven, 21-14, at 10:50. Stevens restored its advantage back up to 14 points, 28-14, at 8:54. A 11-0 Hartwick run, keyed by three-pointers, got the Hawks to within three points of tying the game, 28-25, at 7:05.

Hartwick trailed 36-34 at the 1:33 mark and were still behind by two points, 39-37, with 33 seconds to play in the half on a trey by Joey Lufkin. Stevens tried to answer with a three of their own but was off the mark and Christian Laputka brought down the rebound and raced down the court to score the tying basket with just one second left to make the score 39-all at halftime.

Suderley's layup 11 seconds into the second half gave 'Wick its first lead of the game, 41-39. The score changed hands three times and was tied twice in the first six minutes of the half. The Hawks had their biggest lead of the night, 53-49, at 12:35.

The game stayed tight throughout the rest of the half as neither team could pull away from the other. The Ducks went ahead 69-64 with five minutes showing on the game clock. An 8-1 Hartwick run gave the home team a two-point lead, 72-70, with 2:09 left to play.

A Stevens layup at 1:20 tied the contest at 72-72. With 56 seconds remaining, Kyle Bradley hit the first of two foul shots to give the Hawks a 73-72 lead. Two free throws from Lufkin with 20 seconds left put 'Wick up 75-72. The Ducks inbounded the ball but Hartwick came up with a big steal and scored on a layup with 12 seconds on the clock to put the Hawks ahead 77-72 and essentially ice the game. Glenn Gavan converted the second of two free throws to complete the scoring as the Hawks celebrated the victory.


Nazareth 87, Alfred 80 (Box Score)
Nazareth defeated Alfred 87-80 in a men's Empire 8 basketball game on Tuesday evening. Senior Scott Hayford connected on a three-point basket from the left wing to stretch the Golden Flyers' lead to 83-78 with 57 seconds remaining in regulation. Seniors Brad Ford and Jack Giles each made a pair of free throws to secure the victory.

Alfred's Mike Hill tied the game at 35 points apiece 1:13 into the second half with a layup.  After forcing a Nazareth turnover, the Saxons took the lead after collecting two offensive rebounds on its possession.  Following the Saxons' basket, there were 10 lead changes and four ties as the teams traded scores throughout most of the period. 

The Saxons took a 56-52 lead following a three-pointer by ThomasTsatsis.  Nazareth used an eight-point run to change a two-point deficit into a six-point lead, 65-59 with 6:34 to play in regulation. A pair of dunks by Mills capped the run. After the Saxons tied the game at 75 points apiece following three three-point baskets in a span of only 1:12, Mills reclaimed Nazareth's lead with a pair of free throws with 2:54 remaining in regulation. The Golden Flyers maintained the lead throughout the final minutes.

SCHOOL	CONF	OVERALL
Nazareth	9-4	17-7
Stevens	9-4	16-8
Hartwick	9-4	14-9
St. John Fisher	9-5	16-9
Alfred	8-5	17-7
Elmira	5-7	10-13
Ithaca	2-11	7-17
Utica	1-12	7-16
Houghton	0-0	3-20
Houghton is an NCAA provisional member and is not eligible for postseason. Games against the Highlanders will not impact conference records/standings.