For Immediate Release: February 24, 2005
Contact: John Hartrick
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton men's basketball off mark in 58-54 loss at Hartford
Bearcats rack up as many turnovers as field goals, drop second straight

Box score

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Visiting Binghamton (10-16, 7-10 America East) suffered through another poor shooting performance, managing just 14 field goals in a 58-54 loss to Hartord (8-18, 4-13 AE) Thursday night from the Reich Family Pavilion. The last-place Hawks entered the game in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, but nailed seven free throws in the final 1:15 to earn the win on Senior Night. The loss was Binghamton's second straight after a five-game win streak.

"It was exactly like the Stony Brook game with regard to our inability to hit shots," head coach Al Walker said. "It's too bad. We need to play better. I'm disappointed. The boys are trying ... we just came up short."

Senior center Alex Adediran (Covington, Ga.) scored a team-high 16 points, sophomore guard Troy Hailey (Hyattsbille, Md.) tallied 15, including 13 in the second half, and junior forward Sebastian Hermenier (Rockville, Md.) chipped in 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds, but the Bearcats shot under 40% for the 13th time this season, and fell to 1-12 in those games. Hailey drilled 4-of-8 three-pointers in the second half and at one point, scored 10 straight BU points.

Binghamton misfired on 19 of its first 23 shots to open the game and wound up with just six field goals in the first 20 minutes (22%). At one point, BU missed 12 consecutive shots, but still managed to stay within four at the break, 25-21. The Bearcats remained within striking range throughout the second half but could never claim the lead. They tied the score at 51-51 on an Hermenier three-pointer with 1:46 left and had the ball after a Hartford turnover, but a missed three attempt and ensuing foul put the Hawks at the line, where they grabbed the lead for good. Hartford converted 7-of-10 free throws in the final 1:15 to secure the win.

Hartford was led by 6-foot-2 junior guard Aaron Cook, who registered game-highs of 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Binghamton closes out the regular season with a home contest against Boston University at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

NOTES
Binghamton missed an opportunity to not only clinch the No. 5 seed for the upcoming America East Championship but also missed a chance to pull within one game of Albany (9-8), who lost but still clinched the No. 4 seed. Maine (7-10) also was defeated Thursday night so the Bearcats and Black Bears remain tied for fifth lace. Since BU holds the tiebreak advantage with Maine, the Bearcats can secure the No. 5 seed with either a win Sunday over Boston University or a Maine loss to Vermont. A Binghamton loss and Maine win would give the No. 5 seed to the Black Bears and relegate the Bearcats to the No. 6 seed. In either scenario, BU will play the noon quarterfinal game on March 5 from the Events Center.