West Hartford, CT – The University of Hartford women's basketball team opened the 2010 portion of their schedule and the America East conference schedule with a 65-38 win over the Stony Brook Seawolves on Saturday at Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion. Hartford improves to 10-3 overall and 1-0 in America East play.

The Hawks, who never trailed in the game, were led by senior Diana Delva, the Nestle Purina ONE America East Player of the Game, who finished with 20 points, one why of her season-high. She missed just two of her nine shots and was 6-of-9 at the free throw line, while adding eight rebounds, led Hartford, two assists and four blocks. Joining her in double figures was rookie Ruthanne Doherty who added a career-high 14 points, missing only one of her eight attempts in the game.

The Hawks finished the game shooting 40 percent (24-of-60) from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc for the fourth game in a row, shooting just 15 percent (3-of-20) from long range. The Hawks also struggled to find the hoop while at the free throw line for the second straight game, finishing 12-of-23 for 60.9 percent.

Among the leaders for Stony Brook (2-11, 0-1 AE) was Misha Horsey who was named the Seawolves America East Player of the Game. She finished with 10 points and four assists, while going 3-of-11 from the field and was a perfect 4-of-4 at the charity stripe.

The Seawolves finished the game shooting 25.0 percent (12-of-48), with the Hawks defense holding them to just five second half baskets (5-of-31) for 16.1 percent. Hartford also won the battle of the board with a 45-35 advantage led by Delva's eight and seven from senior Jenna Peterson.

Hartford came out of the gates and scored the first points on a three pointer from Jackie Smith in the 18th minute, before extending its lead to an early 8-1 advantage. Stony Brook was able to cut that lead in half, pulling within four on three occasions in the first half, the closest they would get all game.

The Hawks first double digit lead of the game came off a three pointer, this time from sophomore Ilicia Mathis, who finished with three points and three rebounds off the bench. Hartford's largest lead of the half came right before the break when Erica Beverly connected on a jumper with 22 second left and the Hawks forced Horsey into an unfamiliar shot which fell short.

Hartford opened its lead into the 20 point range early in the second half, with 15:49 to play, after scoring six-straight points to go ahead 43-23 on a pair of free throws from Beverly.

The Hawks largest lead of the game came at 28 on two occasions, the first with 4:33 remaining on a three pointer, the third of the game for Hartford, from Alex Hall as time was winding down on the shot clock. The second largest lead came in the final two minutes as Keyokah Mars-Garrick connected on the first of two free throw attempts.

Hartford will take to the road for the first time in conference play and the first time since a loss to Marist on December 19 when they travel to Baltimore, MD for a match-up with the UMBC Retrievers. Hartford and UMBC will battle on Wednesday, January 6 at 5:00 p.m.