VESTAL, N.Y. - Freshman guard Sam Sessoms led five players in double figures with 17 points as Binghamton men's basketball (3-5) eased past visiting Hartwick (4-3) 89-70 Saturday afternoon at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center.

The Bearcats shot 50 percent and withstood 15 three-pointers from the Division III Hawks, who received a game-high 19 points from Binghamton-area recruit Pat Garey.

Binghamton had a sluggish start and trailed 21-17 eight minutes in before a 15-2 run turned the tide. Senior guard Timmy Rose scored six of his 12 points during the run and classmate Everson Davis added four of his 10 first-half points in that three-minute run.

The Bearcats outscored the Hawks 29-12 to end the half and took a 46-33 margin into the break.

In the second half, senior forward Caleb Stewart netted 10 of his career-high 16 points and classmate Chancellor Barnard added nine points. Barnard totalled 13 points and 10 boards to record his second double-double of the season.

Hartwick opened the second half with an 8-2 run to pull within seven points (48-41) but Stewart drilled a three and then after Hartwick brought it back to single digits, Sessoms found Barnard for a dunk and Barnard added another inside bucket to restore a double-digit margin. Three times after that the visitors trimmed the margin to nine points but could draw no closer. 

Binghamton entered the game ranked No. 2 in the nation in blocked shots (7.3) and nearly met the team's season average with seven. 

The Bearcats head to Baltimore on Tuesday in advance of Wednesday night's 7 p.m. tilt at Morgan State.