ONEONTA, N.Y. —The Hartwick Men's Basketball team used a balanced scoring attack and clutch late-game execution to outlast the Saxons in a back-and-forth homestand thriller in conference play on Friday night.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Alfred 61 Hartwick 63
Location: Oneonta, NY | Lambros Arena
Records: Alfred (3-11, 0-5 Empire 8) • Hartwick (7-7, 1-4 Empire 8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks responded in a big way on Friday night, earning their first conference win of the season with a thrilling back-and-forth victory over Alfred in game two of their six-game homestand at Lambros Arena.
Hartwick opened the scoring with a driving finish from Robby Lucas (Clarks Summit, PA), but the Saxons quickly found their rhythm, using hot shooting to sprint out to a 10-2 advantage. The Hawks answered with a spark off the bench as Keegan Paolillo (Clearwater, FL) and Mase Jarvis (Peekskill, N.Y.) combined for an inside bucket to halt the early Alfred run. Samaj Barnwell (Stockbridge, GA) added a three-pointer to keep Hartwick within striking distance before Jarvis knocked down his first triple of the night and Paolillo followed with a strong finish in the paint.
Despite Alfred continuing to rely on its perimeter shooting to stay in front, the Hawks steadily chipped away at the deficit. Xymier Thomas (Binghamton, N.Y.) set the tone inside, providing a physical presence in the paint, while Kesean Leonard (Rochester, N.Y.) jumpstarted a late first-half surge with a three-pointer. Thomas added an interior basket to make it a one possession game before Mike Gitz (Commack, N.Y.) electrified the home crowd, burying back-to-back three-pointers to swing the momentum and give Hartwick the lead. Cosmo Hardinson (Larchmont, N.Y.) and TJ Etienne (Boynton Beach, FL) capped the run with strong drives to the basket, sending the Hawks into the break with a five-point cushion.
The Saxons came out of the locker room with renewed energy, opening the second half on an 11-2 run to reclaim the lead and put Hartwick on its heels. Alfred continued to lean on its three-point shooting, but the Hawks remained composed and continued to battle back. Leonard once again provided a spark from deep, while Jarvis delivered a pair of clutch buckets, including a driving finish and a three-pointer, to bring Hartwick within one.
As the game tightened in the final ten minutes, both teams traded key baskets. Alfred attempted to create separation, but Gitz answered with another timely three-pointer to keep the Hawks within striking distance. With just over four minutes remaining, Thomas took control in the paint, scoring through contact to put Hartwick back on top.
Thomas continued to deliver in the closing stretch, trimming the deficit with another strong finish before securing the biggest offensive rebound of the night. The senior calmly stepped to the free-throw line and converted both attempts to give Hartwick a one-point lead with 19 seconds remaining. Etienne added a critical free throw moments later to extend the advantage, and the Hawks' defense rose to the occasion, forcing stops on Alfred's final two possessions to seal the conference victory.
Hartwick relied on a balanced offensive attack throughout the night, with Gitz, Leonard, and Jarvis each finishing with 10 points. Lucas orchestrated the offense effectively, handing out a team-high five assists, while Etienne controlled the glass with seven rebounds. Thomas' impact was felt on both ends of the floor, as he pulled down a game-high five offensive rebounds and added eight points, providing the energy and physical presence that helped carry the Hawks to victory.
UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will host the Houghton Highlanders for a conference matchup on Saturday, January 17th at 4:00 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.
