Box Score

ONEONTA, NY- The Hartwick and Alfred's men's basketball teams combined for a whopping 255 points to set a new Hawks record for combined points in a game as 'Wick outlasted the Saxons 131-124 on Friday night at Lambros Arena. The contest pitted the two highest scoring teams in the Empire 8.

The win improves Hartwick's record to 9-6 overall and 5-1 in the Empire 8 and gives the Hawks sole possession of first place. The Saxons are now 10-3 overall and suffered their first loss in the E8 with a record of 3-1.

The previous Hartwick record of 231 total points was set on January 25, 1967 against Susquehanna College. The 124 points scored by Alfred is the most given up by a Hartwick team since King's College scored 117 points on February 7, 1957.

Hartwick's 131 points fell just five points shy of tying the all-time record for points which was set in the Susquehanna game (136). It is the eighth-most points scored in an NCAA Division III game so far this season. 'Wick last scored 100 points on December 29, 2011 against Penn-State Abington (104-90 win).

Six Hawks scored in double figures led by Joey Lufkin's (Argyle, NY/Argyle) 24 points. He also added five assists. Matt Petruccione (Saratoga Springs, NY/Bishop Maginn) scored a career-high 21 points while adding five rebounds and three assists. Jared Suderley (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley) contributed 20 points and 14 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. Kyle Bradley (Cornwall, NY/Mansfield University) was just two assists short of a triple-double as he had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists on the night.

Hartwick received a big lift from its bench. Justin Pratt (North Kingstown, RI/North Kingstown) matched his career high from Tuesday night with 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Glenn Gavan (Newton, NJ/Pope John XXIII) scored a career-high 19 points, picked up five rebounds, and had two assists to along with two steals.

The Hawks shot a season-best 59.5% (44-of-74) from the floor and 54.2% (13-of-24) in three-point field goals. Alfred was 44.6% (45-of-101) from the floor and 34.3% (12-of-35) in three-point shots. Hartwick led in rebounds, 49-47.

"I'm really proud of our team's effort and coming up clutch in overtime," said head coach Todd McGuinness. "The game was really fast paced and a bit insane at times. We made winning plays in overtime and played with toughness."

Hartwick led for all but two minutes of the first half. The Saxons scored the game's first two baskets to lead 4-0 at 19:18. A 15-2 'Wick run would give the Hawks a 15-6 advantage at 14:19.

Alfred would claw its way back and cut into the Hartwick lead as it trailed 15-12 following a layup from Jeremy Johnson. A 20-8 'Wick run, however, would give the Hawks its biggest lead of contest, 35-20, at 7:34.

Hartwick led by as much as 14 points, 46-32, with four minutes remaining in the half but the Saxons again would mount a substantial run. AU cut the Hawks' lead to four points with 34 second remaining in the frame as the Hawks went into the locker room with a 53-59 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Saxons tied the game up twice in the opening minutes of the period. Alfred took its first lead since early in the first half on a layup from Johnson at 16:44. The Hawks briefly took the lead back on layup from Suderley but AU would tie the game up at 64-64 on a free throw from Gerald Colas.

Pratt's jumper at 16 minutes restored the Hartwick lead to 66-64. 'Wick's lead increased to as much as 11 points, 83-72, with 12:29 left to play in the game. Alfred would keep pace with Hartwick and have an answer for nearly every basket to prevent the Hawks from running away with the lead.

Hartwick led 106-98 with 6:06 left to go in the contest. A 9-2 Alfred run reduced the 'Wick lead to 108-107 with 2:47 to play. A Lufkin three-pointer with the shot clock expiring increased the lead to 111-107 at 2:11 and Bradley added the front end of two free throw shots to make it 112-107 with 1:52 left in the game. Alfred's Tyler Seelman hit a trey of his own to bring the score to 112-110. He would later score on a layup with 32 seconds left to tie the game up at 112-all.

Hartwick turned the ball over with six seconds left to play to give the visitors a chance to win the game. Bradley poked the ball away from Thomas Tsatsis and the game went into an extra period.

In overtime, the game changed hands twice and there were two ties. The Hawks moved ahead 119-118 following a three from Pratt. Bradley's three-point play increased the lead to 124-118 at 1:51. The Hawks sank four free throws in the final 26 seconds to finally pull away from the Saxons and secure the victory.

Alfred was led by Seelman's 19 points. Jerry Kincell added 17 points. Tsatsis chipped in 16 points, four assists, three steals, and three rebounds.

Hartwick returns to the court tomorrow afternoon when it faces Houghton College. Game time from Lambros Arena will be at 3 p.m.