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ONEONTA, N.Y. -- Top-seeded and host Hartwick built a 15-point lead in the first half Saturday and held on in the second half to take a 67-62 men's basketball victory over Nazareth in the championship game of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament at the Lambros Arena.

The victory improved Hartwick's record to 18-9 and gave the Hawks their second conference title in the last four years. They also claim an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Nazareth completes its season with a 19-8 overall record.

Nazareth shot the ball poorly most of the game (22-for-64 overall and 3 for 24 from three-point range), but the Golden Flyers still found themselves within striking distance up until the closing seconds before Hartwick prevailed. Senior Jared Suderley was named tournament MVP after combining game highs in points (21) and rebounds (14) for the Hawks. Senior Kyle Bradley added 15 points.

Senior Jack Giles paced Nazareth with 19 points, including 16 in the first half. Sophomore Mitch Ford had 16 points and nine rebounds before fouling out late in the game. Sophomore Maurice Mills had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Hartwick built a 15-point lead in the first half, 36-21, following a basket by Christian Laputka with 2:56 left. A pair of free throws by Brad Ford (8 points, 10 rebounds) with :19 left brought the deficit to 11 points, 38-27, but Hartwick's Joey Lufkin scored before the halftime buzzer to extend the lead to 40-27 at halftime.

Nazareth fought hard in the second half and clawed back to within three points, 63-60, following two free throws by Mills with 1:24 to go. A basket by Suderley and a free throw by Laputka extended the lead to 66-60, before Mills scored Nazareth's last basket. Scott Hayford and Brad Ford each missed three-point shots in the closing minute as Hartwick was able to stay ahead.