Lynch, Carroll score 17 apiece; Hartford beats Albany 72-64

ALBANY, N.Y. -- J.R. Lynch and John Carroll scored 17 points apiece to help Hartford hold off Albany for a 72-64 win on Wednesday night in the America East Conference opener for both teams.

Lynch and Carroll combined for 10-of-17 shooting from the field, including 5 of 5 from 3-point range, and made 9-of-9 free throws. Travis Weatherington and Jason Dunne each had 12 points for Hartford (8-7).

Carroll was fouled on a 3-point attempt and hit all three free throws and, after a steal by Jack Hobbs on the other end, Dunne made two foul shots to give the Hawks a 66-61 lead. Albany's Joe Cremo missed a 3 and David Nichols grabbed the offensive rebound, but Dunne made a steal and Lynch made two free throws with 54 seconds left. Nichols answered with a 3 to pull the Great Danes within four points, but Lynch and Carroll combined to make 4-of-4 free throws from there to seal it.

Cremo led Albany (12-4) with 23 points and Nichols scored 20.

The Great Danes had won 12 of the last 14 games, including three straight, against Hartford.

The Hawks led 41-31 at halftime and Dunne hit a 3 to push the lead to 20 points midway through the second half. Hartford made just 1 of 9 from the field from there, and Albany used a 22-2 spurt to tie it 61-all with two minutes left. Hartford, which was 13 of 13 from the free-throw line, made nine foul shots from there.