West Hartford, CT ? The Hartford women's basketball team struggled from the field throughout the game and despite a three pointer at the buzzer for the New Hampshire Wildcats squeaked out a 48-47 America East victory at home on Sunday. The Hawks improve to 9-6 overall and 2-0 in conference action while the Wildcats drop to 5-8 overall and 0-2 in America East action.
Hartford scored just nine baskets in each half with a 30 percent effort for the game (18-of-59). A pair of Connecticut products led the Hawks with Lisa Etienne and Diana Delva combining for 23 of the Hawks 48 points, with each recording career highs in points and rebounds. Etienne scored 15 to lead all scorers in the game, finishing one rebound shy of a double double with nine boards, all on the defensive end. Delva, the Nestle Purina America East Player of the game, finished with eight points and a game-best 16 rebounds, seven off the offensive glass. Amy Simpson led the Wildcats with 13 points and was named America East Player of the Game for New Hampshire.
The Hawks Delva led the Hawks in shooting with three baskets in four attempts with a two-of-two effort at the free throw line. The Hawks struggled from outside with three made three pointers in 16 attempts with MaryLynne Schaefer leading the Hawks from outside with a pair of three pointers. Danielle Hood finished just shy of double digits with nine points while adding six rebounds. The Hawks led the battle of the boards with a 44-35 advantage in rebounding.
The Hawks had their largest lead of eight points twice in the first half at 16-8 on a layup and free throw for the old fashioned three point play with 9:56 to play before the break. Hood re-extended the lead to eight with 8:29 to play when she connected on a layup and a free throw after being fouled. Hartford took a five-point advantage into the locker room for the break after Delva scored her sixth point of the game on a layup with 40 ticks remaining.
Hartford came out of the break and re-extended the lead to eight with 16 minutes to play in the game on a three pointer for Schaefer. The Wildcats then rattled off 12 points to only two for Hartford taking a four-point lead with under eight minutes to play. Simpson led the Wildcats in the run with five points. Hartford then held the Wildcats to seven points with three coming as time expired while scoring 12 to end the game.
The Hawks will be back in action on Wednesday when they take to the road to play Vermont in conference action at 7:00 p.m. in Burlington, VT.
