AURORA, NY- Three Hawks players scored in double figures as the Hartwick men's basketball team fought off a late Wells rally and held on to defeat the Express 65-63 on Tuesday night. It was the season opener for both teams.

Mark Blazek (Erie, PA/Erie Cathedral Prep) led Hartwick with 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting and grabbed five rebounds. Chris Ryder (Port Washington, NY/Port Washington) had 13 points and six rebounds. Jared Suderley (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley) chipped in 11 points and five rebounds.

Terry Harrison had a double-double for Wells with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Dave Foltz contributed 16 points and dished out six assists.

The Express went up by as much six points to being the game but that would be their biggest lead as Hartwick came roaring back and went on a 18-4 run covering 11 minutes to go up 30-20 with 5:30 left. Hartwick would lead 38-29 at halftime.

'Wick would increase their lead to 13 on a jumper by Blazek with 16:17 remaining to play and were poised to run away with the game. The Express, however, would not go down quietly as they cut into the Hawk lead and trailed by only four points at 50-46 with 9:50 to go in the contest.

A 10-5 Hartwick run capped off by a three-pointer from Blazek at the 3:46 mark would increase the Hawk lead to 11 points. Wells would not let up and went on a 12-3 run to finish the game. Terry Harrison's layup with four seconds remaining got the Express to within two points of tying the game up, but Hartwick would run out the clock and hold on for the victory.

Hartwick shot 44.6% from the floor. They made just over 33% of their three-point shots.

Wells hit 40.3% from the floor and shot 47.6% from beyond the three point arc. They outrebounded the Hawks 43-32 and outscored them 28-22 in the paint.

Hartwick will play Brooklyn College in the Manhattanville Tournament on Friday night at 6 pm.