| 2/9/2007 10:02:54 PM

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ONEONTA, NY - Jan Cocozziello scored 31 points, as the Hartwick Hawks (10-12, 3-8 Empire 8) snapped the RIT men's basketball team (12-10, 6-5 Empire 8) three-game winning streak, defeating the Tigers 73-69 on Friday night.

RIT shot 57 percent from the field in the first half, but just 31 percent in the second half. 

The Tigers struggled from the free-throw line, converting just 10 of 25 (40 percent) shots.

Kenny Gethers (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Grimes) led RIT with 17 points.  Tim Bacon (Massena. NY/Massena) (Massena, NY/Massena) recorded a double-double, with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Colin Roy (Malta, NY/Ballston Spa) (Malta, NY/Ballston Spa) added seven points and six rebounds, while freshmen Adam Sweet (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport), Jim Torto (Binghamton, NY/Seton Catholic) (Bingahmton, NY/Seton Catholic) and Randy Muldrow (Buffalo, NY/City Honors) (Buffalo, NY/City Honors) each had five points apiece.

Cocozziello was 11 of 22 from the field.  Greg Bankowski added 19 points, while Cory Carson grabbed 16 rebounds.

Hartwick ended the first half on a 20-4 run, cutting a 19-point Tiger lead to just three, 39-36 after 20 minutes of play.

The Tigers jumped out to a great start, building a 35-16 lead with 5:18 left on the half.  They went on a 21-6 run to build that advantage. 

Hartwick out-rebounded RIT 48-39.

The Tigers are back in action on Saturday, as they travel to Utica to face the Pioneers in an Empire 8 contest.  Tip-off is at 4 p.m.