KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Hartwick Men's basketball team trimmed a double-digit deficit to two in the final seconds, but the comeback bid fell short at Keuka on Saturday afternoon.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Hartwick 71 Keuka 77
Location: Keuka Park, NY | JMW Athletic & Rec Center
Records: Hartwick (6-6, 0-3 Empire 8) • Keuka (5-7, 2-1 Empire 8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Hartwick closed out its weekend road trip with a conference matchup at Keuka, battling throughout but ultimately falling to the Wolves. The two teams traded triples to open the contest, with Mike Gitz (Commack, N.Y.) knocking down the answer-back three. Xymier Thomas (Binghamton, N.Y.) set the tone inside as both sides worked to establish control of the paint, before Gitz buried another three to give the Hawks their first lead of the afternoon.
A strong Keuka run followed as the Hawk offense went cold, allowing the Wolves to build a double-digit advantage. Samaj Barnwell (Stockbridge, GA) halted the momentum with a three-pointer, and Hartwick closed the half on a positive note. Robby Lucas (Clarks Summit, PA) connected on his first triple, while Malachi Polson (Bay Shore, N.Y.) and Keegan Paolillo (Clearwater, FL) added buckets to chip away at the deficit heading into the break.
The host Wolves opened the second half with high energy, looking to build on their cushion, but Polson and the Hawks worked to stay within striking distance. Kesean Leonard (Rochester, NY) provided a spark of offense, though Keuka's offense continued to click despite strong Hartwick pressure as they consistently chipped away at the Keuka lead. The Blue and White leaned on the sharpshooting of Gitz and Lucas from beyond the arc to pull within two points in the closing seconds, but the clock worked against the Hawks as time expired on the comeback effort.
UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will host the Utica Pioneers for a conference matchup on Tuesday, January 13th at 7:30 PM.
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
