The Pioneers, who stretched their win streak to 10 games, broke open a 38-32 ball game in the early stages of the second half with a 13-2 run to put the game out of reach at 53-36 with 11:31 left. Utica’s lead grew to as many as 19 at 65-46, but the Hawks went on an 11-2 run to pull within 10 at 67-57 with 1:10 remaining.
Bryant netted 10 of 16 shots from the floor in the victory, while Herring buried 8 of 13 attempts. No other Pioneer netted in double figures.
Herring got Utica off to a quick start by scoring the team’s first five points as the Pioneers jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the opening minutes. Trailing by two, Albe Hulick (Greenville, N.Y.) gave the Hawks their first lead in the game at 16-15 on a three-pointer with 9:35 left in the first half. Hartwick extended its lead to as many as five on two occasions, the last at 24-19 on a jumper by Cory Carson (Gansvoort, N.Y.) with 6:45 left. Hartwick went scoreless the rest of the first half as the Pioneers finished with an 11-0 run to take a 30-24 lead into intermission. Bryant’s jumper at the 2:53 mark of the first half gave Utica the lead for good.
On the evening, the Pioneers shot 56 percent from the field (28 of 50), including a 15 of 23 effort (.652) in the second half. On the other hand, Hartwick finished 19 of 53 from the floor (.358) overall.
Raymond Doyley (Yonkers, N.Y.) led two Hartwick players in double figures with a team-high 18 points. The sophomore fell one short of matching his career-high of 19, earlier this year against Green Mountain College. Doyley went five of eight from the floor and converted all eight free throw attempts. Hulick posted 11 points and five rebounds in the loss.
Hartwick out rebounded the league’s top team in rebounding margin 33-27. Utica came into the clash out boarding its opponents by 7.4 caroms per game. Carson pulled down a game-high eight rebounds, while Jack Lighthall led the rebounding efforts for the Pioneers with seven.
Hartwick also converted 18 of 20 free throw opportunities in the contest, one of the best shooting performances it has recorded on the season.
The Hawks, 8-11 overall and 1-7 in Empire 8 action, return to action this weekend as it hosts a pair of league contests. Hartwick will host Elmira, Friday evening beginning at 8 p.m. at Binder Gym.