WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford women's basketball team held on for a 60-54 victory over the University at Albany on Saturday afternoon at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.
The Hawks, winners in their last nine games, improved to 18-7 overall and 11-1 in the America East. Freshman Diana Delva and junior Danielle Hood scored 16 points each to lead Hartford while Sherri Mikus led Albany (7-19 overall, 3-10 America East) with 14 points. Delva and Mikus were each named Nestle Purina ONE America East Players of the Game.
Albany missed its first eight shots of the contest, though Hartford also struggled early and couldn't take advantage. The first 10 minutes of the game featured five ties and four lead changes, with the Hawks taking the lead for good at 11-9 on a Hood layup with 9:08 to play.
Hartford outscored Albany 20-6 over the final 10:25 of the stanza, with Hood and Delva combining for 16 points during the stretch. Albany hit just 1-of-12 from the floor during the span and committed six turnovers. The Hawks went into the locker room at the half with a 27-15 lead.
The Hawks led by as many as 15 points in the second half but couldn't put the Great Danes away. Albany cut the deficit to single digits and got as close as five as a pair of Mikus free throws with 8:10 remaining made it 41-36. Hartford responded by scoring six of the next seven points, including a pair of baskets by sophomore Katie Kelley, to go back up by 10.
Albany trimmed the score to 51-45 with 2:08 to go before sophomore Lisa Etienne put and end to any thought of a comeback. She scored six of Hartford's final nine points, including a dagger of a three-pointer with 1:40 remaining to put the Hawks back up by nine. Etienne finished with 11 points and finished 5-of-8 from the free throw line.
Delva and Kelley (10 points) each pulled down eight rebounds while Hood finished with seven. The Hawks shot 42 percent for the game and held a 36-31 edge on the glass.
Hartford will next host Boston University on Wednesday, February 21 at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
