WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Suffolk men's basketball's New Year debut came down to the wire, but the Rams came out on the wrong side of a 67-64 decision against Conference of New England (CNE) counterpart Hartford Saturday afternoon at Chase Arena. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 64 | Hartford 67
RECORDS: Suffolk (6-6, 2-1) | Hartford (8-4, 2-1 CNE) 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Hartford put up the first seven points of the contest, but the Rams responded with a 10-2 run to take their first lead of the day, 10-9, at the 14:20 mark. That run saw four different scorers in James Jones (3), Hatcher Nordquist (2), Nick Verdile 92) and Greg Keane (2). 
• There were six lead exchanges from there before back-to-back treys from Declan Davis and Harrison Neilgave the Rams a 22-18 upperhand. 
• The blue-and-gold managed to remain in front as the teams went to the locker room, 34-30. 
• Suffolk stretched its edge to as many as six, 42-32, with just two minutes removed from the second stanza. 
• Action remained close until the Hawks flew back late thanks to a 9-2 rally that put the host ahead, 60-59 with 4:41 to go in regulation. 
• Free throws factored in and Suffolk managed to tie the score twice with the last at 64 with 57 seconds to play, but Hartford sunk its freebies the rest of the way for the 67-64 final. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Keane poured in 15 points on a 5-for-8 showing from the field and 5-for-7 performance from the line. He added six boards, two helpers and one swat. 
• Nordquist notched 15 points off the bench. The freshman shot 7-for-13 on the day to go along with seven boards, three handouts and three steals. 
• Neil tallied. Nine points, four rebounds, two dimes and two takeaways. 
• Marquist White registered eight points and was perfect at the free throw line 4-for-4 with two steals. 
• Verdile chipped in seven points. 
• Hartford outrebounded Suffolk, 37-31.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Norquist registered a career-high in points (15) and field goals made (7). 
• Keane logged a career-high in 15 points and free throws made (5) and matched a personal-best in field goals made (5).  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk aims to bounce back Tuesday, Jan. 6 when it wraps up a road trip at the University of New England at 7:30 p.m.