West Hartford, CT – Two free throws from rookie Daphne Elliott inked the Hawks ninth victory of the season and a victory in the final non-conference game of the season 65-60 over the Bowling Green Falcons on Tuesday night. Hartford closes out its twelve-game non-conference schedule with a 9-3 record.

After Elliott's two free throw forced Bowling Green to look for a three pointer to tie the game in the final seconds, Hartford defense stepped up forcing an off balance attempt from Tamika Nurse, leading to Erica Beverly corralling the rebound and being fouled with 1.6 seconds to play. Beverly sank the final two free throws of the game and the Falcons dribbled out the time falling to 9-4 overall.

The Hawks had four players in double figures for the first time since the season opener against Quinnipiac. Leading the team was Diana Delva who finished with 15 points on 5-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 at the free throw line. Delva grabbed just seven boards in the game, snapping a three-game streak with a double double. Elliott finished with 14 points, while Ruthanne Doherty and Beverly each added 10 points. Beverly also added 10 rebounds for her third double double of the season.

As a team, the Hawks smacked down a season best 10 blocks, led by Beverly, the all-time leading shot blocker in school history, who finished with a season-best five. The Hawks finished just one block shy of tying the school record of 11 blocks against Yale in 1986.

Hartford shot 37.5 percent (21-of-56) for the game, including 52.2 percent (12-of-23) in the second half, its highest second half shooting percentage since the come-back victory at Sacred Heart on December 1. Bowling Green finished the game shooting 35.6 percent (21-of-59) from the field and was led by Lauren Prochaska who finished with a game-high 18 points.

Hartford opened the game to an early 6-1 lead off back-to-back baskets from Doherty after a game-opening layup from Delva. After Bowling Green scored their first two baskets, pulling within two of Hartford, the Hawks rattled off seven unanswered points to go ahead 13-4 with 13:06 to play in the game. The nine-point lead came off an old fashioned three point play from freshman Alex Hall.

Hall then gave the Hawks the first and only double digit lead of the game with 8:08 to play on the second of two free throws. That lead wouldn't last as the Falcons battled to tie the game for the first time within the final minute of the half, 18-18, on a layup from Prochask, before Elliott sank a three pointer with 32 seconds to play before the break for the final basket of the first 20 minutes.

Hartford came out of the break and used a Jackie Smith jumper, with just 15 seconds off the clock, to take a five point lead before the Falcons tied the game at 25 on a free throw from Maggie Hennegan.

The tie sparked Hartford into its second 7-0 run of the game, pulling ahead 32-25 with 15:37 to play in the game. Ilicia Mathis capped off that run with a three-point play off a lay up and free throw.

The teams traded baskets for the best seven minutes before a Sarah Clapper three pointer with 8:16 to play in the game put the Falcons behind by one point. Bowling Green then took its first lead of the game on a layup from Tara Breske with 6:52 to play and then saw their second lead come 38 seconds later on a Tracy Pontius three pointer that game them a 49-47 lead with 6:16 to play.

Hartford answered by tying the score on a pair of Beverly free throws and then took a two point lead on a Delva layup. Bowling Green then took its third and final lead with 3:33 to play on a Prochaska three pointer, to which the Hawks replied by scoring six-straight points, taking a 61-57 lead, one they would not relinquish.

Pontius scored the final basket of the game for the Falcons with 1:02 to play, a basket that was followed by a free throw for a three-point play. Elliott's free throws then forced the Falcons to look for a three pointer that would not fall.

Hartford will return to action after the New Year when they open conference play against the Stony Brook Seawolves at Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion on Saturday, January 2 at 4:00 p.m. Fans can catch all the action from the Stony Brook game live on the flagship station for Hartford women's basketball, WWUH 91.3 FM or online at HartfordHawks.com.