NCAA News Wire

Hartford 82, Florida International 69

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The Hartford Hawks put five players in double figures and took advantage of the Florida International Panthers’ careless ball-handling to post an 82-69 victory at Chase Arena in West Hartford, Conn., on Sunday.

The Hawks’ balanced scoring overcame a 29-point effort by FIU forward Adrian Diaz, who dominated inside in going 13 of 14 from the field.

Guard Yolono Moore II led Hartford with 19 points but got support from guard Taylor Dyson with 16, forward Mark Nwakamma with 15, guard Corban Wroe with 12 and guard Wes Cole with 11.

Guards Dominique Williams and Ray Rodriguez with 11 points each were the only other Panthers in double figures.

FIU dropped to 6-6 on the season in losing for the third time in its last four games, all on the road. Hartford improved to 7-5 in picking up its second victory in its last six games.

The visiting Panthers shot 53.1 percent from the field, going 26 of 49 to Hartford’s 45.8 percent on 27 of 59 but were done in by turnovers. They made 19 leading to 34 points for the Hawks, who were charged with 11 that led to 12 FIU points.

The Hawks also had 13 3-pointers in 34 attempts to FIU’s five on 16 attempts.

Hartford used a pair of 11-0 runs in the first half to go into the intermission up 42-31. Then, after the Panthers pulled to within three points, 56-53 just past the midpoint of the second half, the Hawks went on a 14-4 run to take a 70-57 lead with just over four minutes remaining.

The Hawks’ biggest lead of the game was 14 points, 80-66 in the final minute.