VESTAL, NY – Hartwick faced a tall task Wednesday night as it traveled to Division I Binghamton University at the Events Center in Vestal. The Hawks managed to lead the Bearcats for a total of 1:49 and hung around by less than 10 points for the first 12 minutes before the hosts pulled away in an 82-51 win.
            Ten Hawks got into the scoring column, led by Matt Wilson's (Shelton, CT/Franklin & Marshall College) 10 points. Glenn Gavan (Newton, NJ/Pope John XXIII) added eight points for 'Wick with Trevor Norton (Mullica Hill, NJ/Ursinus College) contributing seven.
            Justin Pratt (North Kingstown, RI/North Kingstown) gave Hartwick the early lead, 3-0, after hitting a three-pointer 43 seconds into the game. The Bearcats got the next four points, but a Wilson layup at 18:03 put the Hawks in front again, 5-4. Romello Walker hit a three on the next Binghamton possession and the Cats would take the lead for keeps.
            The Hawks kept pace with Binghamton, however. Gavan nailed a three-pointer at 13:55 to close the Bearcat advantage to four, 15-11. 'Wick inched closer on a Pratt triple at 10:55 to trim the margin to three, 17-14.
            Binghamton built its lead to double digits with 7:42 left in the half on a Yosef Yacob three-point basket. The Cats increased it to a 16-point gap with under six minutes to go before a pair of Gavan free throws and then a three-pointer trimmed it to 11 points, 33-22, at 4:43. An 8-3 run to end the half gave Binghamton a 41-25 lead heading into the locker room.
            Back to back three-pointers from Justin McFadden and Yacob in the first 33 seconds of the second half opened up a 22-point lead for the hosts. A jumper by Jake Sinicki (Endicott, NY/Maine-Endwell) and then two free throws from Joey Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) made it an 18-point game shortly thereafter but Yacob converted on the other end and the Bearcats would lead by at least 20 for the remainder of the game.  
            Pratt would finish with six points for the Hawks. Lufkin scored five and Sinicki added five points and a game-high six rebounds.
            The Bearcats were led by Dusan Perovic who scored 18 points. Yacob ended the night with 14 points and Walker netted nine.
            The Hawks return to Lambros Arena for their home opener on Friday night in the second game of the Holiday Inn Classic. 'Wick opposes Eastern Connecticut State at 8 p.m.