Vince Rosario scored 17 points, and Shemik Thompson and Robby Ptacek made big late free throws as Central Connecticut State defeated Hartford 64-62 on Saturday night.
Hartford led by 14 points in the first half and led for much of the second half, but the Blue Devils took a one-point lead with 48 seconds to play.
Thompson made one of two free throws to push the lead to two, and Hartford could not get off a final shot attempt.
Hartford's Morgan Sabia opened his senior season with his third-career double-double, scoring 23 points and getting 13 rebounds. Both marks were career highs. Joe Zeglinski added 13 points, 11 in the second half.
The game was John Gallagher's first as Hartford's coach. The Hawks held a 39-31 rebounding advantage, including 17 offensive boards.
Thompson had 16 points for Central Connecticut State, and Ptacek had 10.
