Simoneschi’s hoop gave Hartwick its only lead of the game.
Fitchburg State led 32-26 at the half.
The Falcons built a 14 point lead with 13:14 left in the game on a a pair of free throws by Andrew Vayo (Waterville/Waterville, Maine).
Hartwick climbed back into the game with pressure defense and timely shooting. The Hawks forced eight Falcon turnovers in the final 11 minutes, and Tim Kindlon (Bethlehem/Delmar, N.Y.) scored 11 of his game-high 17 points as the Hawks used a 22-8 run over a 11 minute span to tie the game at 60-all with 2:25 to play on a lay up by freshman forward Anthony Brown (North Division/Milwaukee, Wisc.) with 2:25 left.
Fitchburg again grabbed the lead, 64-60 with 1:25 left, on baskets by Nick Smith (Leominster/Fitchburg, Mass.) and Albert Ortiz (Leominster/Fitchburg, Mass.).
Hartwick responded with a three-pointer from freshman forward Albe Hulick (Greenville/Greenville, NY) to cut the lead to one point, 64-63 with 1:03 left in the game.
Hartwick’s Brown stole the ball from Fitchburg’s Jeff Kozik with 31 seconds left. After a Hartwick timeout, and time winding down, Simoneschi drove the lane for the heroic final shot.
Fitchburg’s last gasp effort failed to get a shot off.
Hartwick improves to 5-3 on the season and is off to its best start since the 1995-96 season. The Hawks were led by Kindlon’s 17 points. Brown added 10 points. Simoneschi’s basket was his only shot of the game.
Hartwick is off until traveling to Las Vegas for the Desert Shootout on December 21 and 22.
The Falcons had four players in double figures, including Smith, Peter Uzoma (Concord-Carlisle/Boston, Mass.) and Matt Collins (Southington/Southington, Conn.) with 12, and Ortiz with 10. Collins was named to the All-Tournament team for the Falcons. Fitchburg falls to 4-5 on the year.
Fitchburg is idle until they travel to Anna Maria on January 5.
Fitchburg State vs Hartwick College 12/11/05 12 noon at Oneonta, N.Y. (Binder Gymnasium) At Oneonta, N.Y. (Binder Gymnasium) HARTWICK COLLEGE 65, FSC 64 FSC (4-5) Matt Collins 4-12 0-0 12; Nick Smith 5-12 2-2 12; Peter Uzoma 4-12 4-4 12; Albert Ortiz 5-6 0-2 10; Brian Skiffington 3-4 0-0 7; Jeff Kozik 2-5 0-0 4; Kiki Desormes 1-2 2-2 4; Dan Koen 0-2 0-0 0; Mike Woods 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-56 11-14 64. HARTWICK COLLEGE (5-3) KINDLON, Tim 6-17 0-0 17; BROWN, Anthony 5-7 0-1 10; COCOZZIELLO, Jan 3-7 2-2 8; RYAN, Kevin 3-7 0-0 8; HULICK, Albe 3-5 0-0 7; LANFEAR, Alex 2-2 1-2 5; DILLS, Jeff 1-3 2-5 4; SIMONESCHI, Matt 1-1 0-0 2; DOYLEY, Ramond 1-2 0-0 2; MacKENZIE, Josh 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-52 7-12 65. FSC........................... 32 32 - 64 Hartwick College.............. 26 39 - 65 3-point goals-FSC 5-15 (Matt Collins 4-8; Brian Skiffington 1-2; Peter Uzoma 0-1; Jeff Kozik 0-1; Dan Koen 0-2; Mike Woods 0-1), Hartwick College 8-23 (KINDLON, Tim 5-14; RYAN, Kevin 2-6; HULICK, Albe 1-2; COCOZZIELLO, Jan 0-1). Fouled out--FSC-None, Hartwick College-None. Rebounds-FSC 34 (Nick Smith 9), Hartwick College 30 (KINDLON, Tim 5; BROWN, Anthony 5). Assists-FSC 13 (Jeff Kozik 4), Hartwick College 20 (SIMONESCHI, Matt 8). Total fouls-FSC 14, Hartwick College 12. A-165 Holiday Inn Classic Consolation Game Hartwick takes third in the tournament