2014 Empire 8 Men's Tournament Page
ONEONTA, NY- After missing out on the conference playoffs last season, the Hartwick men's basketball team makes its return as the #1 seed as it will host the four-team Empire 8 Tournament Friday and Saturday. The Hawks will play #4 Alfred, which is making its first tournament appearance, in the semifinals at 8 p.m. with the championship to be played at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The Hawks went 16-9 during the year and 10-4 in the Empire 8. Against the field, which also features #2 Stevens and #3 Nazareth in the first semifinal, 'Wick is 3-3.
"We are in a good place and are focused on the task at hand," said head coach
Todd McGuinness. "The players are focused and ready to protect our home floor. Two years ago we lost in the first round and our seniors remember that feeling and don't want that feeling again."
Hartwick split the season series with Alfred. The Hawks and Saxons played the highest scoring game in Hartwick history on January 17 as 'Wick outlasted Alfred 131-124 in overtime. Hartwick shot a season-best 59.5% from the floor and had six players in double figures led by
Joey Lufkin's (Argyle, NY/Argyle) 24 points. In the rematch three weeks ago, the Hawks led by six points at halftime but the Saxons outscored Hartwick 63-50 in the second half on their way to a 105-98 win.
Jared Suderley (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley) led all scorers with 28 points.
"Alfred is very well coached and plays a different style," noted McGuinness. "They are a great offensive rebounding team and force numerous turnovers. We need to take care of the ball and make the simple basketball play."
Nazareth has given the Hawks the most trouble this season. The Golden Flyers handed 'Wick its first conference loss of the season on January 11, 86-76, at Kidera Gymnasium. Naz went on a 20-4 run late in the second half to break open a tight game. The Golden Flyers converted 14 of 16 free throws down the stretch as their lead grew to as much as 15 points with 1:11 left to play. Hartwick would narrow the deficit to eight points but it was as close as it would get. In the second meeting at Lambros, Naz held Hartwick to just 37% shooting and ended the Hawks' five-game winning streak with an 82-72 win.
The Hawks have fared better against Stevens as they swept the Ducks this year. Hartwick defeated Stevens 74-68 in the first meeting on January 14 in Hoboken, NJ. 'Wick had a 12 point lead in the second half but held off a late Stevens' comeback to pull out the victory. In the second game last week at home, the Hawks trailed by 14 points early in the first half but rallied to tie the game and eventually hung on for a 78-72 win.
