VESTAL, N.Y.-- Joe Zeglinski scored a team-high 16 points to
lead second-seeded Hartford to its first-ever America East Men's
Basketball title game with a 59-52 victory over sixth-seeded Boston
University in the semifinals of the 2008 championship at the Events
Center. Box Score.
The Hawks (18-15), who have waited 25 seasons to reach
the championship tilt, will face top-seeded UMBC (23-8) on Saturday,
March 15 at the Retriever's RAC Arena at 12 noon. The game will be
televised nationally on ESPN2 with the winner receiving an automatic
bid to the NCAA tournament.
Hartford led by five at the break as
Michael Turner hit a three-pointer with 59 seconds left in the half to
give his team a 26-21 advantage at the intermission.
The
Terriers (14-17) scored the first four points of the second half to cut
the deficit to 26-23 just 1:19 into the period. Corey Lowe, who scored
11 of his team-high 16 points in the frame, hit a jumper and Matt Wolff
converted a pair of free throws. But, Boston University would never tie
the score as Hartford doubled up on the Terriers, outscoring them 20-10
over the next 8:55 to pull away.
Warren McLendon recorded a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks.
Matt Wolff poured in 12 points and pulled down eight rebounds for Boston U. Carlos Strong added 11.