UTICA, NY – Hartwick emerged with a victory in a tight final minute and a half, 73-71, Thursday night at Utica College. The Hawks are now 3-9 overall and 2-1 in the Empire 8 Conference.
The Hawks led by seven points with 1:28 left to go following two Caitlin Corbett (Altamont, NY/Guilderland) free throws. A 6-1 Utica spurt in 31 seconds trimmed the margin to two, 71-69, with under a minute remaining.
UC went to the line with eight ticks left and made 1-of-2 to make it a one-point game. The Pioneers quickly fouled and Corbett hit 1-of-2 from the free-throw line to make the score 72-70.
With five seconds left, Utica's Briannah Florian went to the stripe and made her first free throw but her second, with a chance to tie, was off the mark. Carly Johnson (Greenville, NY/Greenville Central) got the rebound, was fouled, and connected on one of her two free throws to push the lead back to two with three seconds left on the clock. The Pioneers called timeout and advanced the ball but were unable to get a shot off before time expired.
Johnson registered a team-high 23 points and a game-high eight rebounds to lead the Hawks. She made 9-of-13 shots from the floor in the contest. Mary Schoenherr (Unionville, CT/Farmington) added 13 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Kelly Pine (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls) secured 12 points, five boards, and three assists. Alexa DuBois (Hobart, NY/South Kortright) scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Hartwick would shoot a season-best 52% from the field as a group. The Hawks also out-rebounded the Pioneers, 36-34. 'Wick would overcome 11 three-pointers from the hosts. UC finished shooting 43% as a unit.
The first two quarters were closely contested as the lead changed hands seven different times. The Pioneers would turn a five-point halftime deficit into a five-point lead 2:12 into the third quarter following a 10-0 run. Utica maintained its lead throughout the quarter but the Hawks kept it to four points or less over the final six and a half minutes.
After an opening three from UC, Hartwick surged ahead with a 9-0 run. The Hawks' lead grew to as many as seven until UC battled back for a tense final minutes.
Corbett finished the night with nine points, four rebounds, and four assists. Isley Sterling (Wilton, NY/Saratoga Springs) contributed four points for 'Wick.
Utica received a game-high 24 points from Ashelyne Babb. She would make six three-pointers on the night. Ashley Mayo was also in double figures with 16 points.
Hartwick hosts Stevens on Saturday in another Empire 8 Conference game beginning at 4 p.m. from Lambros Arena.