LATE RALLY SINKS EXPRESS IN HOME OPENER

Aurora, NY– The Hartwick College Hawks men's basketball team went on a 12-5 run over the final five minutes of play sealing the 66-59 victory over the Wells College Express on Sunday afternoon at the Frances Tarlton Farenthold Field House in Aurora. Mark Blazek (Erie, PA) led the Hawks with 24 points, including 19 points in the second half, while Darrell Bullock (Chicago) paced the Express with 20 points. Juan Paulino (Bronx) recorded the lone double-double for the Express with 13 points and 12 rebounds along with four blocks and four steals. 

The Express would hold as much as a seven point lead in the first half, but the Hawks refused to lay down outscoring the Express 17-7 over the final 5:51 to take a 35-32 lead into the break. 

The second half would be a back and forth battle between both teams as the lead would change hands ten times in the half. Down 40-39 in the second half, Bullock would score five points in less than 30-seconds giving the Express their first lead of the half at 44-40 with 14:20 remaining. But the Hawks would again battle back and with the game tied at 54-54 with five minutes remaining, Blazek would go on a tear, shooting 11-12 from the charity stripe while the Hawks defense allowed just five points. 

The Express were in the game as late as 2:18 remaining, but down by three-points the Express would turn the ball over on a travel call all but ending any come back. Blazek went on to hit four free throws with less than 47 seconds remaining as the Hawks held on for the seven point victory. 

The Express finished 3-18 from behind the arc and 14-26 from the charity stripe while shooting 39 percent for the game.  The Hawks finished 7-17 from behind the arc and 21-25 from the foul line while shooting 41 percent on the game. 

The Express will next travel to Rochester,NY for the D'Youville/Medaille Classic set to start on Friday, November 20^th. The Express will play D'Youville that Friday in the first game of the classic at 6:00 pm.