MARCY, N.Y. – The Hartwick women's basketball team set the tone early and never looked back, using swarming defense, hot shooting from deep, and another dominant double-double from Macy Durkin to secure its first road Empire 8 opener since 2019.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Hartwick fired on all cylinders, setting season highs with 15 steals and nine three-pointers.

• Macy Durkin continued her dominant junior campaign, recording another double-double and now averaging 11.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.

• The Hawks earned their first road Empire 8 conference-opening win since 2019, a season in which Hartwick finished 14–12 and qualified for the Empire 8 Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks opened their Empire 8 conference slate on the right foot, squaring off against the Poly Wildcats in their lone meeting of the season after the teams split two contests a year ago.

Hartwick burst out of the gates as Meghan Paul (Waterford, NY) found Trinity Thornton (Sherburne, N.Y.) in the corner for an early three. Macy Durkin (Syracuse, N.Y.) got on the board at the free-throw line before connecting with Emma Cohen (Utica, N.Y.), who drilled her first triple of the night. Durkin then jumped a passing lane and finished on the other end, capping a 10–2 opening run that forced a Wildcat timeout.

Paul later knocked down her first three of the game, while Durkin showcased crafty finishing en route to 10 first-quarter points as the Hawks carried a 19–6 advantage after one. The Blue and White cooled offensively in the second but maintained strong defensive pressure. Sophia DiCalogero (Melrose, MA) snapped the drought with an interior bucket and followed it up by assisting Paul on another triple. Cohen added a free throw as Hartwick went into the break with a 14-point lead.

Poly opened the second half with back-to-back baskets, but the Hawks responded with a decisive 13-point run highlighted by triples from Cohen, Paul, and Leah Schoonover (Fredericksburg, VA). Foul trouble allowed the Wildcats to trim the deficit, but Hartwick still held a comfortable 15-point cushion entering the final quarter.

Meghan Paul continued to punish the Poly defense, knocking down her fourth three of the night to open the frame. Jess Bowens (Mechanicville, NY) controlled the paint with a pair of strong interior finishes, stifling any Wildcat comeback attempt. Caleigh Richards (Ballston Spa, NY) sealed the conference-opening victory at the free-throw line, securing the win for the Hawks.

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will head to Elmira College for a 5:30 tip off against the Soaring Eagles on Friday, January 9th, continuing their Empire 8 conference schedule.

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.