Both NCAA Division III schools from the Utica-Rome area fell short in the second round of the men's basketball tournament Saturday.

Utica University fell to host Rowan University 83-72 on Saturday night in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Hamilton dropped an 81-71 decision to nationally ranked No. 11 and host Johns Hopkins University at Goldfarb Gymnasium in Baltimore.

Hamilton finishes its season 20-9 after earning its first New England Small College Athletic Conference title. Utica ends 23-5 overall after making its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 17 seasons.

Utica never had a lead in the game against Rowan, which had double-double advantages at points during the contest. Utica got to within three on jumper by Darius Hopkins in the paint with 10:53 remaining.

However, Rowan used an 11-0 run to pull ahead. Rowan's lead was never less than eight points after that.

Hopkins finished his final collegiate game with a career-high 30 points including shooting 6-for-13 from beyond the arc. Hopkins was also a 6-for-6 from the line and collected five rebounds. 

Dayion Thompson had 13 points with five assists. Justice Brantley added 10 points with six rebounds and Rome Free Academy grad Damien Call had six points with six rebounds. Whitesboro grad Thomas Morreale had six points.

Hamilton comes up short

Hamilton and Rowan were tied at 35 in the second half before Rowan used a run to build a lead.

Hamilton got within four points on consecutive 3-pointers by Hamilton's Eric Anderson to make a 12-2 run. However, Hamilton didn't get any closer.

Neither team led by more than five points in the first half as there were six lead changes and four ties, including 30-30 at the break.

Anderson shot 6 of 14 from the field and led Hamilton with 16 points, six rebounds and two steals. Patrick Morgan added 14 points, six boards, five assists and two steals. Conner Rood chipped in 12 points and five assists.