The Hawks were unable to get it going offensively, connecting on only five of their first 27 shots in the first half. Utica got off to a fast start, taking an early 25-9 lead as they never looked back.
The Pioneers (20-5, 11-3 E8), who had six players score in double figures in the game, made 32 of their 56 attempts, shooting 57.1% from the field.
Senior guard Tim Kindlon had a solid performance in his final collegiate game in a Hartwick uniform. Kindlon connected on five of nine shots from three-point range and scored a game-high 19 points. He ran his season three-point total to 63, ranking him in a tie for eighth on the all-time career list for three pointers in a season. Fellow senior John Montana, who was also playing in his final game, contributed seven points and four assists in 30 minutes of action.
Senior guard Justin Cichon led Utica with 17 points. Junior guard Ray Bryant, senior forward Willie Lucas, junior guard Brian Collier and senior forward Shawn Brown each had 12 points.
Hartwick, who finished the season with a 10-15 overall record and 4-10 record in Empire 8 play, made big strides this season after winning eight more games than they did the previous year.
UTICA 88, HARTWICK 53 HARTWICK (10-15, 4-10 E8) A.J. Beaulieu 1-6 2-2 4, John Montana 2-5 2-2 7, Tim Kindlon 6-14 5-9 19, Pat Dunnigan 0-1 0-0 0, Ramond Doyley 3-4 2-2 8, Mike Tracy 0-0 0-0 0, Kevin Ryan 0-4 0-0 0, Josh MacKenzie 0-3 2-2 2, Albe Hulick 0-5 2-4 2, Greg Bankowski 3-4 2-2 8, Alex Lanfear 1-8 1-3 3, Jay Hori 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-54 15-19 53. UTICA (20-5, 11-3 E8) Ray Bryant 4-9 4-5 12, Doug Herring 1-4 0-0 3, Willie Lucas 5-8 2-3 12, Shawn Brown 5-6 2-2 12, Justin Cichon 5-11 3-4 17, Brian Collier 4-5 3-5 12, Chris Bitetto 2-3 1-1 5, Dennis Munch 2-2 0-0 4, Kafele Fleming 4-5 3-4 11, Bradley Everett 0-1 0-0 0, Kirk Poulson 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 32-56 18-24 88. Hartwick 18-35—53 Utica 41-47—88 Three Point Goals: Hartwick 6-21 (Tim Kindlon 5, John Montana), Utica 6-14 (Doug Herring, Justin Cichon 4, Brian Collier).