ONEONTA, NY— Despite coming back within striking distance from a 10-point deficit with one minute to go, sophomore Tyler Seelman (Lorton, VA/Hayfield Secondary) and the Saxons were handed their first Empire 8 loss of the season, 75-74.
Seelman made three long range shots in the last minute of the game to get the Saxons back within one point, but it was not enough to project the Saxons to their second Empire 8 win of the season.
The Saxons came out in the first half cold, hitting only 12-of-41 (29.3%) shots from the field and 4-of-15 (26.7%) from 3PT range. Despite their cold shooting, the Saxons were carrying a lead into the final seconds of the first half until Hartwick's Joey Lupkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle Central) hit a three-point shot at the buzzer to snatch the lead, 34-33, and take the momentum into half time.
In the opening five minutes the second half, the Hawks went on a 12-2 run versus the visiting AU Saxons. The Saxons would answer back in the ensuing five and half minutes with a 14-2 run to grab the lead from the clutches of the Hawks.
Yet again, the hawks followed with a run of their own, 10-0, spanning four minutes to grab a 10-point lead. Next, it was the Saxons' turn, with Seelman hitting a deep shot to bring the game within seven.
With just under a minute to go in the game, the Saxons began to foul and try their luck. The Hawks player made the first free throw, but the second bounced out into the hands of senior Dalton Walsh (Stockton, NY/Cassadega Valley). After a barrage of shots, Walsh was fouled and made both free throws to bring the game within six points. The Hawks would make 1-of-2 free throws again and Seelman hit another long-range clutch shot to bring the game within four.
Almost on cue, the Hawks hit 1-of-2 free throws again and Walsh hit another three-pointer on the other end to make the score, 73-71. Finally, Hartwick was able to capitalize on their free throws to make both, luckily, because Seelman answered with yet another three-point shot as the buzzer rang. The final on the scoreboard read, 75-74.
Walsh ended his evening just short of a double-double with 23 points and nine rebounds. Seelman, hitting five three-pointers, put up 21 points on the night along with three blocks. Julian Reinhart (Hornell, NY/Hornell) added 15 points to the effort along with five rebounds and two assists.
The Saxons, (7-3, E8 1-1) return to the court January 6th, 2015 to take on Elmira College in the newly renovated Terry S. Galanis Family Arena in Alfred, NY.