ONEONTA, N.Y. — The Hartwick Men's Basketball team battled Keuka head-to-head in a tight conference contest, but late free throws proved to be the difference as the Hawks dropped a tough result.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Keuka 87 Hartwick 79
Location: Oneonta, NY | Lambros Arena
Records: Keuka (9-12, 6-6 Empire 8) • Hartwick (7-14, 1-11 Empire 8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Opening the final regular-season homestand, Hartwick looked to even the season series after falling to Keuka earlier in the year on the road.
Keuka opened the scoring inside before Xymier Thomas (Binghamton, N.Y.) answered with a strong finish off the feed from Kesean Leonard (Rochester, N.Y.). A missed Wolves three quickly turned into points for the Hawks as Robby Lucas (Clarks Summit, Pa.) knocked down a triple in transition. Leonard added his first bucket of the night before finding Lucas again from deep, giving Hartwick an early five-point edge.
The Hawks continued to attack the paint, drawing fouls and earning trips to the line. Thomas split a pair of free throws before
Samaj Barnwell (Stockbridge, Ga.) powered through contact for an and-one.
Joey McLaurin (Mastic Beach, N.Y.) delivered a bounce pass to Barnwell for a two-handed slam, then Barnwell returned the favor with an assist to McLaurin on a pull-up jumper to maintain a two-possession lead.
TJ Etienne (Boynton Beach, Fla.) was a presence all afternoon, scoring repeatedly in the paint while adding two emphatic blocks on the defensive end. Etienne also converted at the stripe as the Hawks kept Keuka at bay. Hartwick continued to score from all angles, with
Mase Jarvis (Peekskill, N.Y.) hitting a contested jumper and
Cosmo Hardinson (Larchmont, N.Y.) adding a driving finish.
Keuka answered with a run to pull within one before
Mike Gitz (Commack, N.Y.) halted the momentum with his first three of the game. Leonard followed with a triple of his own, and Gitz drained back-to-back threes to push the Hawks' lead to double digits. Several Keuka trips to the line trimmed the margin to seven at the break.
The Wolves came out of halftime with renewed intensity, forcing a turnover and converting on the opening possession.
Jackson Frame (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) responded with a second-chance bucket, then answered again after another Keuka score by finishing the pick-and-roll with Leonard. Lucas went a perfect trip at the free throw line before Thomas threaded a bounce pass to Gitz cutting to the rim for an easy layup.
A seven-point spurt from Keuka's leading scorer flipped the script, giving the Wolves their first lead since the opening minutes. Hartwick battled to regain control, but foul trouble stalled momentum. Leonard rose to the moment late, knocking down a three and a pair of free throws to pull the Hawks within one.
As the physicality intensified, Hartwick capitalized at the stripe with free throws from Lucas, Hardinson, and Etienne to knot the contest at 70 with under four minutes remaining. Keuka responded in kind, using repeated trips to the line to regain separation. Late buckets from McLaurin and Barnwell kept the Hawks within striking distance, but the Wolves' 15 points at the free-throw line proved to be the difference down the stretch.
UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will return to Lambros Arena for their final regular season home game, taking on the Elmira Soaring Eagles on Saturday, February 7th 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 persona
