Sports

Final Score: Hartford 50, NJIT 38

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Joe Zeglinski scored a game-high 17 points, as the Hartford Hawks advanced to the Liberty bracket championship game of the 2008 Philly Hoop Group Classic with a 50-38 win over the NJIT Highlanders.

Zeglinski did most of his damage from beyond the arc, where he knocked down 5- of-10 shots for the game. Jaret von Rosenberg scored 12 points and dished out six assists for the Hawks (2-4).

Jheryl Wilson paced NJIT (0-4) with 16 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Forward Gary Garris grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, though he shot just 3-of-10 from the floor and finished with nine points.

The Highlanders simply couldn't get their shots to fall, as they knocked down just 7-of-26 field goals in the opening half. Zeglinski scored 14 of his 17 points in the frame to help Hartford grab a 30-19 lead at the break.

Neither team was able to generate much offense in the second stanza, although the Highlanders were particularly woeful from long range, where they shot just 2-of-15.

NJIT shot 25.5 percent from the floor in the game, including a 6-of-32 effort from the perimeter.

The Hawks will play either Monmouth or Niagara Saturday at 2 p.m.

11/28 15:40:31 ET