The Hawks (6-8, 0-3 E8) took a 33-31 lead into halftime and led for the first seven minutes of the second half before the Pioneers (10-2, 2-1 E8) took the lead for good on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Dennis Munch.
With just under two minutes remaining, Hartwick capped off an 8-0 run of their own on a steal by senior guard Tim Kindlon. Kindlon dribbled up the court and passed the ball to freshman guard A.J. Beaulieu who made a three-pointer to cut the lead to four.
The Hawks would not get any closer as Utica converted on seven of nine free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Beaulieu led Hartwick with 12 points, while fellow freshman guard Jan Cocozziello chipped in with 11 points.
Freshman guard Doug Herring finished with 14 points and five assists for the Pioneers. Junior guard Ray Bryant contributed 12 points, nine boards, and senior forward Willie Lucas was the other play in double figures with 10 points.
The Hawks play hose to Ithaca College for an Empire 8 Conference game at 8 p.m. Friday at Binder Gymnasium.
UTICA 73, HARTWICK 66 UTICA (10-2, 2-1 E8) Ray Bryant 3-9 5-7 12, Doug Herring 3-7 6-6 14, Jack Lighthall 2-6 0-0 4, Shawn Brown 4-9 0-0 8, Justin Cichon 5-7 2-3 16, Brian Collier 0-1 1-2 1, Willie Lucas 1-9 8-10 10, Dennis Munch 3-3 0-0 8. Totals: 21-51 22-28 73. HARTWICK (6-8, 0-3 E8) Kevin Ryan 0-0 0-0 0, Jan Cocozziello 4-8 1-2 11, Albe Hulick 3-6 0-0 6, Pat Dunnigan 4-6 0-1 8, Anthony Brown 2-4 0-0 4, A.J. Beaulieu 5-7 0-0 12, John Montana 0-0 1-2 1, Tim Kindlon 3-8 0-0 8, Josh MacKenzie 2-5 2-2 6, Alex Lanfear 2-3 0-2 5, Jeff Dills 0-0 0-0 0, Greg Bankowski 0-0 1-2 1, Ramond Doyley 2-4 0-0 4. Totals: 27-51 5-11 66. Utica 31-42--73 Hartwick 33-33--66 Three-point Goals: 9-14 (Ray Bryant 1-2, Doug Herring 2-4, Justin Cichon 4-5 Willie Lucas 0-1, Dennis Munch 2-2), Hartwick 7-16 (Jan Cocozziello 2-4, Albe Hulick 0-2, Pat Dunnigan 0-1, A.J. Beaulieu 2-2, Tim Kindlon 2-5, Josh MacKenzie 0-1, Alex Lanfear 1-1).