ONEONTA, NY - Hartwick plays a dominant second half to erase a nine-point halftime deficit in an 81-62 win over Utica on Saturday at Lambros Arena. The Hawks outscored the Pioneers 50-22 and held a 32-12 edge in rebounds in the second session to roll to the victory. The win improves Hartwick's record to 6-9 overall, 3-4 in the Empire 8, and snaps a 15-game losing streak to the Pioneers. The Hawks last tasted victory over UC on Jan. 19, 2002. UC slips to 6-8 and 1-5 with today's loss.
Mark Blazek (Erie, PA/Erie Cathedral Prep), Chris Ryder (Port Washington, NY/Port Washington) and Kyle Phillips (Ashland, MA/Ashland) combined for 61 of the Hawks 81 points on the afternoon. Blazek paved the way with 24. Ryder added a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds and Phillips notched 18 points and eight boards.
Martin McCann (Hopewell Junction, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) was also in double figures with 10 points and James Mantas (Niskayuna, NY/CBA) scored six, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out three assists and made three blocks. Shane Tanzosh (Warwick, NY/Warwick) played a strong second half and finished the game with career-highs of 11 rebounds and five offensive boards. He also registered team-bests of four assists and two steals.
Utica was led by Patrick Goodman's 17 points. Will Abrams added 10 points, and James Patterson, Kevin Johnson, and George Schultz each netted seven.
The Hawks and Pioneers played evenly for the opening eight minutes of the game until Hartwick gained an eight-point lead, 23-15, with a 10-2 run in a two and a half minute span. Blazek had eight of 'Wick's points with a jumper and a pair of three's. With the Hawks seemingly in control with less than eight minutes to play in the opening half, the Pioneers turned the tables on their hosts going on a 21-5 run to close the first period up 40-31. UC hit 9-of-18 shots in the span while limiting Hartwick to just 2-of-16 shooting.
The Hawks came out and played an inspired second half and following a 14-4 run to start the stanza, 'Wick regained the lead. A Ryder jumper at the 12:45 mark gave the Hawks the edge for good, 47-46, and a 15-2 Blue and White spurt over the next four minutes would put the game away. Utica never managed to cut the 'Wick lead to under 10 points the rest of the game and Hartwick secured the victory.
The Hawks shot 48% from the floor in the contest, including 56% (18-of-32) in the second half, and out-rebounded the Pioneers 50-32. UC ended the game shooting 40%, but hit just 27% (9-of-33) in the all-important second half.
The Hawks, currently fifth in the E8 standings, will travel to RIT and St. John Fisher next weekend in a pair of important conference games.
Mark Blazek (Erie, PA/Erie Cathedral Prep), Chris Ryder (Port Washington, NY/Port Washington) and Kyle Phillips (Ashland, MA/Ashland) combined for 61 of the Hawks 81 points on the afternoon. Blazek paved the way with 24. Ryder added a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds and Phillips notched 18 points and eight boards.
Martin McCann (Hopewell Junction, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) was also in double figures with 10 points and James Mantas (Niskayuna, NY/CBA) scored six, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out three assists and made three blocks. Shane Tanzosh (Warwick, NY/Warwick) played a strong second half and finished the game with career-highs of 11 rebounds and five offensive boards. He also registered team-bests of four assists and two steals.
Utica was led by Patrick Goodman's 17 points. Will Abrams added 10 points, and James Patterson, Kevin Johnson, and George Schultz each netted seven.
The Hawks and Pioneers played evenly for the opening eight minutes of the game until Hartwick gained an eight-point lead, 23-15, with a 10-2 run in a two and a half minute span. Blazek had eight of 'Wick's points with a jumper and a pair of three's. With the Hawks seemingly in control with less than eight minutes to play in the opening half, the Pioneers turned the tables on their hosts going on a 21-5 run to close the first period up 40-31. UC hit 9-of-18 shots in the span while limiting Hartwick to just 2-of-16 shooting.
The Hawks came out and played an inspired second half and following a 14-4 run to start the stanza, 'Wick regained the lead. A Ryder jumper at the 12:45 mark gave the Hawks the edge for good, 47-46, and a 15-2 Blue and White spurt over the next four minutes would put the game away. Utica never managed to cut the 'Wick lead to under 10 points the rest of the game and Hartwick secured the victory.
The Hawks shot 48% from the floor in the contest, including 56% (18-of-32) in the second half, and out-rebounded the Pioneers 50-32. UC ended the game shooting 40%, but hit just 27% (9-of-33) in the all-important second half.
The Hawks, currently fifth in the E8 standings, will travel to RIT and St. John Fisher next weekend in a pair of important conference games.
