ONEONTA, NY – The Hartwick men's basketball team dropped a close decision to visiting Union in Saturday night's season opener, falling to the Dutchmen by a 65-59 score in Lambros Arena. The game was the first for Hartwick Head Coach Nick Ciresi.

Kevin Felasco (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) got Hartwick off on the right foot, draining a jumper in the paint 11 seconds in for the season's first points. Anthony Girard (Chestertown, NY/North Warren Central) had the assist. The Dutchmen scored the next seven points, setting the tone for the rest of the half. Union would gradually extend their lead out before the Hawks fought back a bit. The visitors eventually won the first-half battle, scoring 12 of the final 14 points to take a 31-20 lead into the break.

After a Justin Regis jumper extended Union's lead to 13 to begin the second half, the Hawks got hot. Girard drained a jumper and a three, and after Union answered back with a three Girard turned the tables again by hitting from deep. Nick Eiler (Highland Mills, NY/Saddle River Day) followed with his own three, and back-to-back lay-ups from Andrew Rocci (Hanover, MA/Hanover) and Liam Drennan (Oyster Bay, NY/Chaminade) cut the Hartwick deficit to one at 36-35. The game would stay close until the end.

The teams traded baskets, and a Felasco three with 6:05 to go gave the Hawks back the lead at 53-52. Union immediately knotted it up, and the teams would stay within a couple points of each other for a while. Rocci's paint jumper returned the Hawks to the forefront with 1:34 remaining, giving them a 59-57 advantage. That would be the last time 'Wick found the basket. Brian Noone hit the front end of a pair of free throws on the other end, and after the ball bounced out off of 'Wick, Mike Manley drained a three to give Union a 61-59 lead with 60 seconds to play. After a Rocci turnover, Mike Caporale put home a lay-up, and an Eiler miss on the other end just about sealed it. Manley drained a pair from the line with two seconds left to bring the score to its final resting position.

Felasco led the Hawks with 12 points on 5-of-9 from the field, contributing six assists as well. Rocci nearly had a double-double at 11 points and nine boards, as did Drennan at nine points and eight rebounds. Eiler had nine points, three assists, and three rebounds, and Girard picked up eight points, six rebounds, and one assist.

Union had the shooting advantage, at 41.4% to 34.9% from the field and 38.5%  to 31.0% from three. The rebounding battle was more-or-less even, at 40-39 Hartwick. Union did not get any contribution from their bench, as all 65 points came from their five starters.

'Wick returns to action for their yearly rivalry game, traveling across West Street to play Oneonta at 7:30.

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