The University of Hartford Men’s Basketball team faced Baruch College at home on Friday to begin their season. There was a lot of doubt before the Hawks were on the floor because they had a lot of new players, but they came out determined to make an impression and won 66-62. Hartford took charge right away, hitting 45 percent from three-point range and 50 percent from the field in the first half. As the game progressed, Baruch missed more shots, but they continued to shoot well in the second half, going 50% from the field.
In his 25 minutes of action, graduate student Trayon Rumley led the Hawks with 17 points on 7 of 14 shooting. Josh Petion and rookie Akwiwu Stephen both scored double-digit points, with 14 and 10, respectively. Oranye Beluolisah, a senior, grabbed thirteen rebounds while holding his own under the basket. Stephen Akwiwu grabbed nine rebounds. In a true team effort to secure the victory on opening night and kick off the Aaron Toomey era in Hartford with a positive start, the Hartford defense finished with six steals and three blocks.
Hartford would go on to lose their next game against Trinity College by a score of 74-38. They have one upcoming this week on Tuesday, November 14th as they travel down to New Haven, Connecticut, to take on Albertus Magnus College.
