PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College men's basketball team faced a tall order on Wednesday evening, hosting an undefeated and top team in the country in Rock Valley College in its N4C opener. The Hawks hung tough with the Golden Eagles, but it wasn't enough as the visitors shot an impressive 56.9 percent from the field on their way to a 97-78 victory inside the Wellness & Sports Center.

The Golden Eagles (17-0, 1-0 N4C) hit 19-of-30 (63.3 percent) field goals in the first half to build up a 49-35 lead. Perhaps more impressive was their ball movement, as the team recorded 16 assists on the 19 baskets. Dalton Menke scored 10 first half points for Rock Valley. For Harper, Marcus Gatlin (Chicago, Ill./Curie) and Allias Burnett (Joliet, Ill. /Joliet West) both had 11 points at halftime.

The Hawks (9-8, 0-1 N4C) shot a solid 53.6 percent (15-of-28) from the field in the second half but still never got closer than 13 points. Connor Elzerman (Oxford, Mich./Oxford) scored 13 of his 19 points after halftime and finished the game with 19 points and six rebounds. For Harper, Gatlin and Burnett each scored 24 points. Gatlin hit 9-of-17 shots and had seven assists, while Burnett grabbed eight rebounds and dished out three assists.

Rock Valley took its biggest lead of the game, 83-58, with 8:17 to play on a Mo Jackson layup. Menke led all Golden Eagles scorers with 19 points. Elijah Williams posted a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Dalton Payton scored 16 points. Rock Valley was 37-of-65 from the floor and had 29 assists as a team.

The Hawks will have another tough test on Saturday afternoon as they host to No. 9 (D2) Triton College (15-2, 1-0 N4C). Tipoff is scheduled for 3 PM.