Azotam leads Quinnipiac comeback, Hearst's free throws hold off Hartford, 82-77

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Zaid Hearst converted on all six of his free throw attempts in the final 23 seconds of the game to give Quinnipiac an 82-77 win over Hartford in the season opener for both teams on Saturday.

Quinnipiac trailed 42-31 entering halftime but used a 30-8 run to open the second half, taking a 12-point lead, 61-49, on Kasim Chandler's layup with 8:28 remaining.

Ike Azotam, who led the Bobcats with 20 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, rejected Justin Graham's game-tying 3-point attempt with five seconds left to preserve Quinnipiac's 80-77 lead. Hearst collected the rebound and, after a foul by Taylor Dyson, iced the game by hitting two free throws.

Hearst, who was a perfect 12 of 12 from the charity stripe, added 17 points. He set a career-high for free throw attempts and free throws made.

Yolonzo Moore II had 22 points for Hartford. Mark Nwakamma added 21.