ALBANY, N.Y. – The Hartwick men's basketball team tipped off against the Sage Gators in their last conference matchup of the season, trailing behind in a 89-71 loss to cap off the 2025-26 campaign.
THE BASICS
· Final Score: Hartwick 71 Russell Sage 89
· Location: Albany, NY | Kahl Campus Center
· Records: Hartwick (10-15, 4-12 Empire 8) Russell Sage (21-4, 13-3 Empire 8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mike Gitz (Commack, N.Y.) opened the scoring for the Hawks with an early three-pointer, assisted by first year standout Robby Lucas (Clarks Summit, Pa.). The Gators matched Hartwick's intensity through the opening frame, with a pair of turnovers allowing Sage to gain a narrow lead. Joey McLaurin (Mastic Beach, N.Y.) battled in the paint with a layup to bring Wick to 20 points, slowly closing the gap to Sage's 8-point lead.
Despite the Blue and White's continued effort, Sage began to pull-away, carrying a 46-30 advantage going into halftime. Lucas kick-started the second half with a three-pointer, but the Gators maintained control. A steal from Gitz led to an open layup by Kesean Leonard (Rochester, N.Y.), trimming the gap and putting Wick only 9 points behind the Gators.
The Hawks trailed 71-49 with eight minutes remaining. Kesean Leonard fueled a late push within the last moments, recording 10 points, 2 rebounds, and an assist. Despite the Hawks' late surge of energy, they were unable to gain the advantage against Sage, falling 71-89. Xymier Thomas (Binghamton, N.Y.) led the team with 16 points, Leonard right behind with 15 of his own. As a team, the Hawks combined for 70.4% from behind the free throw line, tallied 38 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists.
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.
