VESTAL, N.Y. - Visiting Hartford (16-13, 9-5 America East) scored 55 first-half points and shot 60 percent en route to a 96-76 win over Binghamton men's basketball (8-21, 4-10 AE) Wednesday night at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center.

The loss spoiled a record-tying performance from BU freshman guard Sam Sessoms, who exploded for eight three-pointers and 34 points - both marks tying single-game school records held by senior guard J.C. Show. Sessoms tallied 24 points in a sparkling second half and hit 8-of-15 from 3-point range and 12-of-23 for the game. 

But the Hawks solved BU's zone early and shot 68 percent (23-of-34) in the decisive first half, which ended with a 19-point cushion, 55-36. Down 26 points midway through the second half, the Bearcats brought it back to 10 with a 22-6 run which featured 11 points from Sessoms. When senior forward Caleb Stewart drilled a three with 6:13 remaining, BU was within 10, 73-63. But Hartford steadied itself with three 3-pointers in the next 2:27 and BU could draw no closer.  

"That's the toughest matchup in the league for us - the way they can pass and shoot the ball," head coach Tommy Dempsey said. "They picked us apart because they have five guys who can pass and shoot. They came in and played a really good game. Our kids showed a lot of heart to climb back in it and Sam (Sessoms) had a super second half to give us a pulse but they had some big threes to keep us at bay and ice the game."

"He's special," Dempsey said of Sessoms. "It's really exciting ...he has given us a heck of a building block for the future." 

Stewart added 22 points, including 17 in the first half. He hit 9-of-19 from the floor. Show was the third player in double figures with 11 points. Senior forward Chancellor Barnard tied his career high with 11 rebounds - the fourth time he's hit that number this season.

The Bearcats, who are locked into either the No. 7 or No. 8 seed for the upcoming America East tournament, next head to Bangor for a Saturday morning matchup with Maine (11 a.m.). The winner will have the inside track on seventh place in the standings. 

NOTES
Sessoms' 34 points tied the mark shared by Show (34 vs. Central Conn. St. on Nov. 16, 2016) and Dusan Perovic (34 at Boston Univ. on Dec. 3, 2014) ... Sessoms' eight 3-pointers also tied the school record shared by Show (8 vs. Central Conn. St. on Nov. 16, 2016), Moussa Camara (vs. UMBC on March 3, 2011) and Mike Gordon (vs. Albany on Jan. 12, 2008) ... Sessoms went over the 30-point mark for the second time this season and went over the 20-point mark for the 12th time (second-most in school history).