RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico – Senior forward Cherelle Moore drained a career-high 26 points on 11-of-21 shooting to lead the University of Hartford women's basketball team (3-3) in an 81-70 loss to Washington in the second game of the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The Hawks will close out the Cancun Challenge on Saturday when they take on the Florida State Seminoles at 3:30 p.m.

Moore was joined in double figures by a pair of players, senior Amber Bepko and sophomore Deanna Mayza with 16 and 13 points, respectively. As a team, Hartford finished the game shooting 37.3 percent from the field (25-of-67), including making 8-of-26 from beyond the three point arc for 30.8 percent. The Hawks also made all but one of their 13 attempts at the free throw line for a 92.3 percent effort.

As a team, the Hawks combined for 17 assists on their 25 baskets, tying their season high previously set against Providence. Leading the way was the point guard, Mayza, who finished with seven helpers, her fourth game with five-plus assists. Her 13 points against the Huskies also marked her fifth, in six total, game scoring in double figures, and was her third-straight.

On the boards, the Hawks were led by freshman Janelle Harrison who finished with seven, while as a team they finished with 36, compared to the Huskies 38. All but one of the nine Hawks who saw action against Washington finished with at least two rebounds, while the same nine also added at least one of the 17 total assists.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

·        Senior post Cherelle Moore compiled her second career 20-plus game, finishing with a career-high 26 points on 11-of-22 shooting and a perfect 4-of-4 at the free throw line. She also added four rebounds, an assist and two steals.

·        Joining Moore in leading Hartford was guards Amber Bepko and Deanna Mayza who finished with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Bepko's 16 points came on 5-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the three point arc. Mayza finished 4-of-8 overall, including a perfect 4-of-4 in the second half. She also finished 4-of-5 at the free throw line.  

·        The Hawks put up their best efforts at the free throw line in the young season, making all but one of their 13 total attempts for a 92.3 percent effort. Overall for the game, Hartford shot 37.3 percent on 25-of-67, including making 8-of-26 attempts from beyond the three point arc. The Hawks best shooting came in the final 20 minutes when they made 15-of-32 attempts for 46.9 percent.

·        As a team, Hartford combined for 17 total assists, matching the season high set previously in the home opener against Providence. All but one of the 10 players that saw time for the Hawks finished with at least one assists, led by the sophomore point guard, Mayza, who finished with seven total, her fourth game with 5-plus helpers.

·        On the boards, the Hawks were led by freshman forward Janelle Harrison who finished with seven, matching her career-high set at Lafayette. Overall, Hartford dropped the battle of the boards 38-36, with nine of the 10 players finishing with at least two rebounds.
 

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS

·        Senior forward Cherelle Mooore led Hartford in the opening half, tied for the half-high among all players, with 16 points on 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-4 at the free throw line. She also added two rebounds and a steal in the first 20 minutes.

·        Twelve of Moore's 16 first half points came in the first nine-plus minutes, as Hartford opened up a 17-14 lead with 10:44 remaining in the half. Included in her first 12 points was a four point play in which she hit a right handed layup and was fouled on the play, a flagrant foul, which gave her a pair of free throws. She followed that four point play up with the next two Hartford baskets and another two free throws, scoring 10 straight points for the Hawks.

·        Freshman guard Mary Pattison broke up back-to-back baskets from Kelsey Plum with her first career three pointer that provided a 20-19 advantage for Hartford. She would finish the half with six points, making both of her three point attempts.
 

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS

·        The Hawks outscored Washington 42-36 in the second 20 minute period led by Deanna Mayza and Amber Bepko who each contributed 13 points. Mayza would finish the second half hitting all four of her attempts from the field. Cherelle Moore also added 10 points.

·        Hartford opened the second half scoring the first five points on a layup from Cherelle Moore and a three pointer from Deanna Mayza off a feed from Moore. That early run cut the Hawks deficit to 12 and forced the Huskies to call for time.

·        About four minutes later, the Hawks used an 8-0 run to pull their deficit into single digits for the first time in the half at 52-43. That run included back-to-back three pointers from senior Amber Bepko, both off of assists from Mayza who capped off the run with a layup with 13 minutes remaining.

·        Trailing by 13 points with four minutes remaining, the Hawks began another run that cut their deficit back into single digits. That rally consisted of eight straight points from the point guard, Mayza, and a layup from Moore with the only matching points from Washington a pair of free throws from Kelsey Plum. That 10-2 run for Hartford pulled the Hawks within five points, 71-66, with just over a minute remaining.

·        A jump shot from Bepko with 24 seconds remaining again pulled the Hawks within five, 75-70, but Washington capitalized at the free throw line, connecting on 6-of-6 in the final 23 seconds to close out the contest at 81-70.
 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

·        Senior Cherelle Moore closed out the third 20-plus performance of the season for Hartford, sinking a career-high 26 points on 11-of-22 from the field and 4-of-4 at the free throw line.

·        Sophomore point guard Deanna Mayza finished with seven assists, leading all players in the game, completing her fourth game, of six total, with five-plus assists. She also finished in double figures for the fifth time this season with 13 points, all of which came in the second half.

·        Senior guard Amber Bepko also chipped in double figures, the fourth time this season, finishing with 16 points, 13 of which came in the second 20 minutes. Overall for the game, Bepko finished 5-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. In the second half alone, the senior was 4-of-8 overall and 3-of-6 from long range.

·        As a team, Hartford finished with 17 assists, tying the season high for the squad, originally set in the home opener against Providence. Mayza's seven assists led the Hawks as she was one of nine total players who contributed at least one.
 

TWEETABLES (140 characters or less)

·        SR Cherelle Moore increased the individual season high in scoring to 26 points, a career-high for the post player.

·        Moore's 26 points joined SR Amber Bepko (16) and SO Deanna Mayza (13) in double figures. Mayza also added seven assists.

·        FR forward Janelle Harrison led the Hawks in rebounding for the second time this season, matching her career high with 7.
 

UP NEXT
The Hawks will close out the Cancun Challenge on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Florida State Seminoles. The Hawks and Seminoles are scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. tip off from the Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico.