| 12/7/2007 10:12:46 PM

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ONEONTA, NY -- The RIT men's basketball team dropped its third straight game with an 84-80 loss at Hartwick College on Friday evening. The loss drops RIT to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Empire 8.

The Tigers led throughout most of the contest, leading by as many as 25 points early in the second half. But, a 50-21 by the Hawks over the final 13 minutes of the game gave Hartwick the win.

Mark Carson (Voorheesville, NY/Voorheesville) (Voorheesville, NY) led RIT with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Freshman Shane Foster (Woodland Hills, CA/Calabasas) (Woodland Hills, CA) came off the bench and added 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. Barrett Zeinfelld (Tucson, AZ) chipped in 11 points.

The Tigers led 42-30 at the half, shooting nearly 47% from the floor. The Tigers shot 14-30 from the floor, including 4-of-10 from behind the arc.

Rick Whitwood (Wellsville, NY/Wellsville)'s (Wellsville, NY) layup with 12:55 remaining in the second helped RIT to 59-34 lead. That's when things turned around for the Hawks as they went on the amazing run.

Jan Cocozziella was fouled shooting a three-pointer with three minutes remaining to tie the score at 73-73. He was fouled on the play and made the free throw, giving the Hawks a 73-74 lead.Cocozziella led the Hawks with 43 points.

RIT will face Utica College tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm in Empire 8 action in Utica, New York.