EASTON, Pa. (AP)—Jared Mintz had his fourth career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds to help Lafayette hold off a hard-charging Hartford team 86-82 on Tuesday night.
The Leopards (4-1) shot 63.3 percent from the floor (19-for-30) in the first half to lead by as many as 22.
Hartford (2-3) made up a 50-31 halftime deficit, tying the game with 8:09 left on a layup by Joel Barkers. Although the Hawks tied the score four more times, they couldn’t take the lead.
With Lafayette ahead by five with 37 seconds to go, Barkers drilled his first career 3 to bring Hartford within 82-80 with 26 seconds left. The Leopards then made 4 of 6 free throws to seal the win.
Darion Benbow added 15 points and eight rebounds for Lafayette, which outrebounded Hartford 35-25.
Andres Torres scored 18 points for Hartford, setting a career high for a second straight game.
