Hartford edges Boston U 53-49 in AEC tourney

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Nate Sikma scored 16 points and Mark Nwakamma recorded a double-double to lead Hartford past Boston University 53-49 on Saturday night in the America East Conference tournament quarterfinals.

Sixth-seeded Hartford's upset of third-seeded Boston means that the Hawks (9-21) will take on Vermont, the No. 2 seed, in the AEC tourney semifinal round on Sunday.

Nwakamma had 13 points and 16 rebounds for Hartford, and Andres Torres also chipped in with 12 points. The Hawks, whose win snapped a two-game losing skid, came in having lost to the Terriers twice this season, in the regular-season finale on Feb. 25 and also on Jan. 22 at home.

The Hawks rallied to take this one, overcoming a six-point halftime deficit by outscoring Boston 32-22 in the second half to seal it.

Darryl Partin scored 17 points to pace the Terriers (16-16), who had won two straight coming in.

Updated March 3, 2012