WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Host Hartford (6-4, 3-2 AE) built a 13-point halftime lead and shot 65 percent in the second half to defeat Binghamton (1-7, 1-4 AE) 76-56 in an America East men's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Chase Arena.

The Bearcats fell behind 17-9 early and trailed by as many as 18 points before trimming the deficit to 39-26 at half. Sophomore guard Brenton Mills scored all 10 of his points in the first half to keep BU within striking range. 

In the first minute of the second half, sophomore guard Tyler Bertram (career-high-tying 16 pts.) drilled a 3-pointer to make it 39-29, but BU could never bring it back to single digits. Mills, BU's leading scorer (15.9 ppg.), was held to four second-half shot attempts and Hartford made 13-of-20 field goals to keep the Bearcats at bay.

"It wasn't a great performance by us but Hartford had a lot to do with it. We didn't get off to a good start and were chasing it from behind all night. We just weren't able to execute offensively and then defensively, the score got us out of our defensive game plan. The best thing is that we have a chance to come right back, get better tomorrow and get out of here with a split."

Sophomore forward Bryce Beamer chipped in nine points and a team-high nine rebounds. Classmate Dan Petcash added eight points and three steals.

The teams finish out the weekend set with a 2 p.m. game Sunday.