ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick took control of the game early and had little trouble with Alfred on Friday night at Lambros Arena in a 76-60 victory. The Hawks, who were coming off a tough five-point loss at RIT six days ago, shot 52% from the floor as a team and held their opponents to just 35.2% shooting. 'Wick improves to 7-5 overall and 2-1 in the Empire 8. Alfred slips to 7-6 and 2-3.
Freshman Jared Suderley (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley) and juniors Mark Blazek (Erie, PA/Erie Cathedral Prep) and Andres Carpio (Beacon, NY/Lock Haven Univ.) combined for 55 of the Hawks' 76 points on the night. Suderley dropped in 20 points to go along with seven rebounds. Blazek had 18 points and Carpio scored 17 and hit a team-high three three-pointers.
After a layup and free throw from Alfred's Bryan Bobo 4:22 into the game, the Saxons led 8-7. A Blazek three-pointer on the next trip down the floor for Hartwick would give the hosts the lead for the rest of the night. 'Wick built a nine-point edge with less than six minutes to go in the half and led by as many as 14 before taking a 37-26 edge into the locker room.
A 13-6 run to start the second half made it an 18-point game with less than five minutes elapsed in the second half and the Hawks had a double-digit lead until the midway point. Alfred shaved the deficit to nine, 55-46, with 9:40 to play, but a 9-1 spurt built the big lead back up for Hartwick and the Blue and White cruised the rest of the way.
Junior Chris Ryder (Port Washington, NY/Port Washington) led Hartwick with 12 rebounds. The team held a 39-30 edge over the Saxons in that department. Ryder also scored eight points. Martin McCann (Hopewell Junction, NY/Lourdes) contributed six points and Travis Godley (Putnam, CT/Putnam Science Academy) added five.
Alfred guard Mike Stopera led all players with 23 points. Sean Curran added 12 points and Gary Kwiecien chipped in with seven points and seven rebounds.
The Hawks look to improve to 3-1 in the conference standings tomorrow as they host St. John Fisher at Lambros Arena at 4 p.m.