Matt Hart '16 scored 21 second-half points including the game-winning basket with three seconds left as Hamilton College (5-2) rallied to beat visiting Morrisville State 82-80 in non-conference men's basketball competition Tuesday at Hamilton's Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. Hart, who led the Continentals with 23 points, sparked a second-half rally that pulled Hamilton out of a seven-point hole. He made eight of 12 shots from the floor in the second half, including three of his four three-point tries.

Hart hit a jumper from the top of the key with three seconds left after the visiting Mustangs (4-5) had tied the game on a free throw by Brandon Hanks '14. After Hart's go-ahead basket, the Mustangs had two possessions; Hart intercepted the ensuing inbound pass near the Morrisville foul line but was called for traveling upon landing with the ball. The Mustangs' inbound pass from their own baseline was knocked away by Hamilton's Peter Kazickas '15 at the buzzer to seal the Continentals' third win in four games.

The Continentals made two thirds of their shots in the second half, converting 21 of 31 shots including seven of their eight three-point attempts. Hamilton made nine shots in a row to help turn a seven-point deficit into a six-point lead. Morrisville, a "sweet 16" team in last year's NCAA playoffs, took a seven-point lead (54-47) on a lay-up by Tom Wilk '14 with 12:07 left in regulation. Hart's three-point basket on Hamilton's next possession was the first of nine straight baskets over a stretch of 4:30 that left the continentals ahead 71-65 with 7:21 to go.

Hart scored 11 points during the 24-11 spurt with Joseph Lin '15 and Jack Donnelly '16 also connecting on three-point baskets and Matt Dean adding a pair of jump shots.

Hamilton took its biggest lead (78-71) with 3:48 remaining on a three-point basket and a lay-up by Bradley Gifford '15 on back-to-back trips. Gifford, who finished with 16 points (one short of his career high) added a pair of free throws with 2:22 left before the Mustangs started their rally.

A basket by Jailaan Kinsey '14 brought Morrisville to within 80-77 then Wilk stole a rebound, leading to a lay-up by Jordan Prior '14 that made it a one-point game with 52 seconds on the clock. Hamilton missed its attempt at a go-ahead shot and Hanks came up with the rebound with 12 seconds left. He was fouled and missed his first try, but tied the score at 80 with a free throw on his second attempt.

Hart scored 21 of his 23 points in the second half. Kazickas scored 11 points and Ajani Santos '16 matched a career high with nine points off the bench.

Kucjok Ater '14 led Morrisville with 21 points; he and Prior combined to make all 11 of their free-throw attempts as the Mustangs posted a 25-for-29 performance as a team. Hanks had eight points and a game-best six rebounds, helping Morrisville out-rebound the Continentals 36-20.

Greg Newton '14 led Hamilton with four assists; Dean, Donnelly, Hart and Lin each had three of the team's total of 19. Donnelly also led the Continentals with a career-high three steals.

Hamilton plays its second non-conference game in as many days, traveling to Rochester for a 7:30 p.m. game Wednesday. The Mustangs are idle until Jan. 8, when they'll travel to Alfred State.