ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick topped the century mark for the second time this season against Elmira with a 104-81 thrashing of the Soaring Eagles on Tuesday at Lambros Arena. Four Hawks reached double figures, led by Brandon LaForest's (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) 21 points, and 11 Hawks made it into the scoring column.
Hartwick ups its overall record to 8-13 and its Empire 8 mark to 5-7. EC drops to 3-17 and 1-10.
The Hawks led from start to finish in the contest. They led by as many as 15 points, 20-5, with seven minutes elapsed. LaForest led the way in the first half with 11 points and a trio of three-pointers.
The advantage grew to 23 points five minutes into the second half. The hosts held at least a 16-point edge for the last 13 minutes of action. Twenty-six points, 95-70, would mark the widest margin of the night with five minutes left on the clock.
LaForest finished the night making 5-of-7 from three-point range to go along with six assists, and six rebounds. Kevin Townes (Lagrangeville, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) scored 16 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. Patrick Garey (Johnson City, NY/Johnson City) knocked down four three pointers and he closed the game with 13 points and four boards. Austin Haskell (Kirkwood, NY/Susquehanna Valley) chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Hawks made 50% (35-of-70) from the floor and drained 14 three-pointers in the game. They held EC to 42% shooting and out-rebounded the Soaring Eagles, 45-34.
Corey Baker (Granby, MA/Granby) and reigning Empire 8 Rookie of the Week Tommy Kelly (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) would each score nine points for the Hawks. Justin Carruthers (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) and Matt Knezovic (Ballston Lake, NY/Mansfield University) added eight points apiece.
Elmira received 16 points apiece from Henry Cuffee and Alex Ischiropoulos. Mason Weir netted 11.
Hartwick remains at home on Thursday as Utica College comes calling at 6 p.m. The Pioneers earned a home victory over the Hawks on January 11 by a final of 84-71.