New Hampshire rallies to beat Hartford 67-63 in overtime

Mar 4, 2015, 10:07 pm

DURHAM, N.H. -- Jaleen Smith scored 16 points and Matt Miller added 15 as No. 4 seed New Hampshire survived an upset bid and defeated fifth-seeded Hartford 67-63 in overtime in an America East tournament quarterfinal Wednesday night.

Jacoby Armstrong scored to put New Hampshire ahead with 1:13 in regulation and Smith sank the first of two free throws for a 54-52 lead with one second left.

But Hartford's Mark Nwakamma rebounded Smith's miss and was fouled, sinking both and forcing overtime.

Miller opened the OT with a 3-pointer and then a jumper and hit the last two free throws as the Wildcats finished 8 of 11 at the line.

Armstrong finished with 13 points and Ronnel Jordan 12 for New Hampshire, which visits top-seeded Albany (22-8) in a semifinal Sunday.

Nwakamma led Hartford with 20 points.

The Wildcats were without conference Rookie of the Year Tanner Leissner, who sprained an ankle Monday in practice.