KEUKA PARK, N.Y. – The Hawks put together a late surge to cut a 15-point deficit to two in the final 30 seconds, but Hartwick's comeback bid fell just short against the Wolves on Saturday afternoon.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Hartwick 62 Keuka 64
Location: Keuka Park, NY | JMW Athletic & Rec Center
Records: Hartwick (4-8, 1-2 Empire 8) • Keuka (6-5, 1-2 Empire 8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks wrapped up their weekend conference road trip with a matchup against Keuka, looking to regain their footing following a tough loss to Elmira the night before. The Wolves struck first with back-to-back buckets to open the contest, but Hartwick quickly answered as Meghan Paul (Waterford, NY) drilled a three-pointer to get the Hawks on the board.
Hartwick found early success in the paint behind Emma Cohen (Utica, N.Y.), with Macy Durkin (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Olivia Farnham (Millerton, NY) also contributing down low. Despite the inside presence, Keuka maintained a narrow edge. After a cold stretch to close the opening quarter, the Hawks came out firing in the second, piecing together an 11–2 run fueled by Durkin to knot the game at 24 midway through the frame. The Wolves responded by rebuilding a six-point cushion, but a perfect trip to the line from Cohen trimmed the deficit as Hartwick headed into halftime trailing by five.
The Blue and White opened the third quarter with strong energy, though it was quickly overshadowed by Keuka's most efficient shooting stretch of the game. The Wolves' hot hand allowed them to build a double-digit advantage heading into the final period.
Hartwick remained undeterred. Led by Empire 8 rebounding leader Macy Durkin, the Hawks thrived on second-chance opportunities, injecting new life into the comeback bid. Jess Bowens (Mechanicville, NY) made her presence felt in the paint, while Cohen continued to carve through the defense and draw contact, consistently converting at the free-throw line. Keuka pushed its lead to as many as 15, but the Hawks refused to fold, as the duo of Cohen and Durkin willed Hartwick within two points with just 30 seconds remaining, making an impact on both ends of the floor. Both posted new career highs in steals, with Durkin picking off seven and Cohen swiping five.
The Hawks earned one final look in the closing moments, but were unable to capitalize as a valiant comeback effort ultimately fell just short.
UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will return to Lambros Arena to host the Utica Pioneers for a 5:30PM tipoff on Tuesday, January 13th.
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.
