Hawks Soar Past Men's Basketball in Empire 8 Conference Game

ELMIRA, NY - In their first conference game of the year the Soaring Eagles (0-4, 0-1 E8) were defeated by the Hawks of Hartwick College (5-0, 1-0 E8) by the score of 58-44 Friday evening at Speidel Gymnasium. Three Hawks players combined to earn a total of 41 of the team’s 58 points.

The game actually started with EC leading for most of the first half. The Soaring Eagles got off to a roaring start scoring back-to-back baskets to take the early 4-0 lead. Despite a three point basket from Hartwick, the Purple and Gold did not falter at all. They responded with a three point basket from Noah Zazulia ’11 (Palm City, FL -- Jensen Beach) to take a 4 point lead.

Second year player Jon Adamson ’10 (Herkimer, NY -- Herkimer) had a strong game for EC putting up a team high 12 points while also pulling down 7 rebounds. He finished the night 3-9 from the floor and was 6-8 from the line.

EC’s defense also played very strong holding the Blue and White scoreless for almost five minutes. Unfortunately it was not long after finding the basket that the momentum began to turn in favor of Hartwick. As time winded down, EC saw their lead decreasing by the minute. It was not long before they looked at the scoreboard and saw that they were only leading by one with 2:14 left in the half.

With less than two minutes to play, Hartwick earned their first lead on a lay-up from Jan Cocozziello, which was then followed up by a three point basket from AJ Beaulieu to give the Hawks a four point lead with only seconds left to play. Neither team was able to score another basket before the halftime horn sounded.

The first ten minutes saw neither team producing any solid offense. However once the half passed the midway point, Hartwick took off on the scoreboard. Before anyone knew it the scoreboard read 45-32 in favor of the Hawks with 7:26 left to play.

The spark that started the scoring surge was back-to-back baskets which game the Blue and White their first double-digit lead of the evening. Once they achieved that lead, they did not look back eventually wearing out the Soaring Eagles defense earning a 14 point lead before the final horn sounded.

Men’s Basketball will return to action tomorrow afternoon when they play host to Utica College in an Empire 8 conference game. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Speidel Gymnasium.

Hartwick College 58, Elmira College 44
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