West Hartford, CT - The University of Hartford women's basketball team picked up a 31 point win, the largest margin of victory this season, 73-42 over Hofstra University on Sunday afternoon. Hartford was led by Danielle Hood who finished with 11 points, she was one of three players in double figures. Hartford is now 8-2 overall, while the Pride drop to 2-5.
The Hawks finished the game shooting 47 percent (20-of-43) from the field, while holding the Pride to 27 percent (16-of-58). Joining Hood in double figures was Lisa Etienne and Katie Kelley who each added 10 points. Hartford also finished the game with a 10 rebound advantage (41-31), led by Erica Beverly and Jonyce Hollins. Kelley was named the America East Nestle Purina ONE Player of the Game for her performance.
For the second straight game, the Hawks excelled at the free throw line, taking advantage of 23 Hofstra fouls. The Hawks finished game shooting 82 percent (28-of-34) from the free throw line, led by three players who finished 4-of-4, Hood, Beverly and Mary Silvia. Etienne finished the game shooting 6-of-7 from the free throw line.
The Hawks saw an impressive night off the bench scoring 33 points compared to just 10 from the Pride. Kelley saw the highest output off the bench while Beverly and Silvia each added six points. The Pride were led by Sam Brigham, who finished with 13 points.
Hofstra led just once in the game, 5-3, after the Hawks opened things up with a three pointer from MaryLynne Schaefer off the opening tip. The Pride scored the next five points before being held scoreless for the next four and half minutes. Hartford saw back-to-back three pointers from Jamie McCabe as the beginning of 11 unanswered points.
Hofstra's Niki Williams broke the Pride drought with a three pointer with 13:03 to play in the first half. That was the only basket the Pride would see for the next six minutes as Hartford extended its lead into double digits, 22-8, never looking back.
The Pride would get no closer than 16 points with 17:30 to play. Hartford would use a 14-5 run over the next nine minutes to take a 25 point lead with 9:04 to play. The Hawks largest lead of the game was the same as the final. Today's 31 point margin of victory is the largest for Hartford since a 39 point win at Columbia (76-37) in November of 2006.
The Hawks next travel to Poughkeepsie, NY for a Wednesday night date with the Marist College Red Foxes. Marist was the 2007 Cinderella team, advancing to the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual national champion Tennessee. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.
