ONEONTA, NY – In its final home event of the calendar year, the Hartwick men's basketball team came away with a 69-57 win over the visiting Bard Raptors. Containing their opponent's shooting to just 29.4-percent, the Hawks collect their third straight victory advancing to 5-2 on the year while Bard suffers its third loss in four games (2-4).
Off of Bard's 16 turnovers, the Hawks were able to convert 11 points though Bard benefitted 12 from the Hawks' nine errors. Bard also generated 13 second-chance points while Hartwick only earned nine in the category.
It was Hartwick's shooting that enabled its victory, going 44.4-percent from the floor, 35.7-percent from downtown and 61.1-percent from the charity stripe. The Raptors only connected for 10-of-31 of their shots from deep (32.3%) and hit 7-of-15 (46.7%) from the free-throw line.
Joey Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) was the high point getter for the home team with 17 which also tied Bard's leading scorer David Runcie's scoring tally. Lufkin also dished four helpers and corralled two steals.
Jake Sinicki (Endicott, NY/Maine-Endwell HS) was just three boards shy of a double-double scoring 13 points and seven rebounds. Brandon LaForest (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes HS) (15 points and three assists) and Justin Pratt (North Kingstown, RI/North Kingstown HS) (12 points and four rebounds) also contributed for 'Wick.
For the road team, Jelani Bell-Isaac and Chris Lockwood each garnered nine points while Bell-Isaac also added 11 boards to his stat line.
The Hawks commenced scoring at Lambros Arena with six straight points until a layup by Harry Johnson cut the streak 16:34 into the game. Three possessions later, the Hawks would get their advantage back up to seven on a make by LaForest, 11-4.
Christopher Rogers hit a shot down low to bring the Raptors within two at 12:33. Then, a costly turnover committed by Marc du Moulin (Altamont, NY/Guilderland HS) would create the long-ball opportunity for Bard as Emmanuel Oyakhilome cashed in for his team's first lead of the night, 13-12.
Hartwick swiftly regained its lead and widened it by as many as eight before settling on a six-point lead heading into the break, 38-32.
The Raptors would cut their deficit to one twice in the second half including at the 6:30 mark. Runcie would sink a trey, 48-49, but quick in response, Sinicki dropping in a layup seconds after and the Hawks' never looked back.
Next, men's basketball will travel to Miami for the second annual HOOPMIA D3 Holiday Shootout to wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule. Beginning December 18th, Hartwick will take on Manhattanville College at 4 p.m. and then wrap up play the following day against LaGrange College at 6.