ALFRED, N.Y. —  The Hartwick Men's Basketball team outlasted Alfred in a back-and-forth overtime thriller on Saturday evening, earning a 74-72 victory to complete the season sweep of the Saxons at Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Hartwick 74 Alfred 72 (OT)
Location: Alfred, NY | Terry S. Galanis Family Arena
Records: Hartwick (10-14, 4-11 Empire 8) • Alfred (3-21, 0-15 Empire 8)

BY THE NUMBERS

• Mike Gitz knocked down five three-pointers, bringing his season total to 80, good for fourth-most in program history for a single season.

• Four Hawks scored in double figures for the second straight game, led by Gitz's 20-point effort.

• Hartwick secured its first season series sweep of Alfred since 2020.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Hartwick came out firing, opening on a 16-3 surge to make an early statement. A steal from Jackson Frame (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) led to the opening bucket by Kesean Leonard (Rochester, N.Y.), and Xymier Thomas (Binghamton, N.Y.) followed with a steal of his own. Mike Gitz (Commack, N.Y.) cleaned up the offensive glass before knocking down his first triple. Frame added a three of his own as the Saxons worked to settle in.

Alfred chipped away at the early deficit, trimming a 13-point gap to two midway through the half. TJ Etienne (Boynton Beach, Fla.) provided a spark with consecutive driving finishes, and Leonard added a coast-to-coast score off the rebound. First year Robby Lucas (Clarks Summit, Pa.) found his way into the paint for a late bucket, sending the Hawks into the break with a narrow one-point edge.

The second half featured constant momentum swings. Etienne hammered down a dunk off a feed from Thomas before the Saxons connected on three consecutive triples to take the lead. Lucas answered with a three-pointer and forced a turnover that led to a perfect trip to the line for Malachi Polson (Bay Shore, N.Y.).


With five minutes remaining, Leonard drilled a clutch triple to tie the contest yet again. Gitz later stepped to the line for three free throws after a foul beyond the arc, converting all three before burying a go-ahead triple with 1:35 left. However, Alfred forced overtime with a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds.



In the extra period, Leonard struck first with a mid-range jumper. After another Saxon three gave the hosts a brief edge, Gitz responded in fitting fashion by knocking down a second-chance triple off a strong effort from Frame. The shot marked his 80th three of the season, moving him into fourth in program history for a single-season mark.


Alfred tied the game once more with 27 seconds remaining, but the Hawks had the final possession. Hartwick ran down the clock and turned to Leonard, who broke down his defender at the top of the key and rose for the mid-range jumper, sinking the game-winner with two seconds left to seal the 74-72 victory.


Gitz led the attack with 20 points, marking his fifth 20-point performance of the season. Leonard added 14 points, Etienne chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench, and Lucas rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11. Thomas controlled the glass with a game-high 10 rebounds as the Hawks secured the conference road triumph.

 

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will close their 2025-26 season with a 7:30 PM tip-off against the Gators at Russell Sage on Tuesday, February 17th.

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.