Utica, NY – The Utica College men's basketball team welcomed the Hartwick Hawks on Tuesday for an Empire 8 contest. Late heroics on both ends by sophomore Shawn Gashi (Central Square, NY/Bishop Grimes) tipped the scales in UC's favor in the final seconds of the game to earn the 77-74 win.
 
Gashi scored a game-high 20 points, which included the game-winning shot in the final 10 seconds of regulation. Avery Coston (Kerhonkson, NY/Rondout Valley) tallied 16 points and six rebounds, while teammate Tyler Jollie (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro) posted 11 points. Kobe Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) added eight points off the bench on an efficient 3-for-4 from the field. The Pioneers have now won back-to-back games in the conference, improving to 9-7 overall and 3-4 in E8 play.
 
Both teams took turns holding the lead in the first half, but it was Hartwick who would hold a 39-35 lead at the mid-game break. The visiting Hawks hit eight shots from beyond the 3-point arc in the first half. An old fashioned three-point play by Justin Strielkauskas (Waterbury, CT/Holy Cross) in the final minute before halftime cut UC's deficit to four points at the half.
 
The Pioneers were behind just about the entire second half, as they could not get over the hump to take the lead back from Hartwick. It wasn't until crunch time when Utica took over the lead, holding the Hawks to just two points in the final five minutes of the game. In the final 10 seconds of the game, Gashi took advantage of his matchup and nailed the clutch shot at the elbow to give UC a 75-74 lead. He then stood in and took the contact to draw a charge on defense, ultimately sealing the win.
 
Hartwick drops to 7-10 overall and 3-5 in Empire 8 competition. Kyle Bradshaw was the team's leading scorer in the loss, finishing with 17 points. Brandon LaForest completed the game with 13 points, seven boards, and seven assists. Tommy Kelly and Pat Garey combined for 23 points for the Hawks.

UC is back at home this weekend for double the action, with games against Stevens on Friday and Nazareth on Saturday. The Stevens matchup is scheduled to tip-off at 7:30 p.m.