The Hawks (2-23, 0-14 Empire 8) trailed 75-72 with 11 seconds left in the second half. Senior forward Mike Wawrzonek missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game as time expired.
The Pioneers (13-12, 8-6), who held a 33-31 lead at halftime, received a layup from senior forward Tim Troy to take a 53-40 lead with 13:06 remaining in the second half. Hartwick picked up the defensive pressure and answered with an 18-4 run over the next four minutes to take a 58-57 lead.
Both teams exchanged baskets over the remaining nine minutes of regulation.
Betancourt hit 15-of-24 field goals and made 3-of-9 from 3-point range. Freshman swingman Eddie McAdoo had 10 points and two steals, and freshman forward Sterling Green added nine points.
Junior forward Shawn Brown had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and junior guard Justin Cichon finished with 17 points for Utica. Junior forward Jemar Bryant contributed 15 points and seven rebounds, and senior forward Tim Troy registered a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
UTICA 75, HARTWICK 72 UTICA (13-12) Brian Collier 1-3 6-6 8, Jemar Bryant 5-13 3-4 15, Shawn Brown 7-9 5-8 19, Justin Cichon 7-12 1-2 17, Tim Troy 4-10 2-2 10, Edgar Acevedo 0-0 0-0 0, Jack Lighthall 1-1 1-1 3, Ricky Adames 1-3 0-0 2, Rocco Cordato 0-0 1-2 1. Totals: 26-51 19-25 75. HARTWICK (2-23) Tim Kindlon 1-9 0-0 3, Greg Betancourt 15-24 6-7 39, Eddie McAdoo 4-11 0-0 10, Sterling Green 3-11 3-4 9, Mike Wawrzonek 0-1 0-0 0, Matt Simoneschi 0-0 0-0 0, John Spellman 1-4 4-4 6, Christopher Ward 0-0 0-0 0, Bill Lanchantin 1-3 1-2 3, Mike Leighton 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 26-64 14-17 72. Utica 33-42—75 Hartwick 31-41—72 3-Point Goals: Utica 4-15 (Brian Collier 0-1, Jemar Bryant 2-8, Justin Cichon 2-5, Ricky Adames 0-1), Hartwick 6-24 (Tim Kindlon 1-6, Greg Betancourt 3-9, Eddie McAdoo 2-6, Sterling Green 0-2, Mike Wawrzonek 0-1). Fouled Out: Hartwick (Matt Simoneschi). Rebounds: Utica 43 (Tim Troy 14), Hartwick 25 (Bill Lanchantin 5). Assists: Utica 10 (Brian Collier 4), Hartwick 10 (Eddie McAdoo, Matt Simoneschi 3). Total Fouls: Utica 14, Hartwick 20.