THE BASICS:
 
RESULT: Hartford 56, Alabama A&M 47
RECORDS: Hartford (3-3), Alabama A&M (3-3)
LOCATION: Ocean Bank Convocation Ctr. (Miami)
 
THE LEAD:
The University of Hartford women's basketball team dropped Alabama A&M, 56-47, to claim the FIU Thanksgiving Classic Championship on Sunday. Lindsey Abed poured in a season-high 22 points to lead the Hawks, who advanced to the title game after defeating Charleston Southern in the opening round on Saturday. Abed picked up Tournament MVP honors, finishing with 35 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and just two turnovers in two games. Hartford senior Darby Lee was also named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
The Hawks forced 20 turnovers against the Lady Bulldogs, marking the fourth time this season that Hartford has reached that plateau. Nigeria Jones (14 points) and Kenisha Tharpe (11), both All-Tournament selections, led Alabama A&M in scoring.
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Hartford used a balanced attack to build a 27-18 halftime lead, as seven Hawks contributed at least two points before the break.
• The Hawks opened things up just before halftime, pulling away on the strength of a 7-0 run in the final minute. Senior Mary Pattison got the rally started with three-pointer and Abed followed up with a pair of field goals, including a buzzer-beater, to put Hartford in control.
• Hartford put together another 9-0 run in the third quarter, with freshman Jade Young and Abed accounting for all nine points.
• The teams traded baskets for most of the fourth quarter. The Lady Bulldogs cut their deficit to as little as six points in the closing minutes but Hartford converted six of its final seven free throws to maintain its advantage down the stretch.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS & NOTES:

• Abed's 22 points nearly matched her career best of 25, set against Monmouth exactly one year ago (Nov. 26, 2016).
• Abed went a career-best 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
• Abed had more points from the free throw line than any other Hawk had in the game.
• Abed led the team in assists (5) and tied senior Janelle Harrison for the team lead with seven rebounds. Young finished with a team-best four steals.
• Hartford's balanced offensive approach worked, as six Hawks finished with at least five points.
• Hartford finished 19-of-25 from the free throw line, marking the team's highest single-game free throw total this season.
• With the victory, the Hawks have won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
• Hartford's 26 defensive rebounds (and 42 total rebounds) were the most for the Hawks through their first six contests.
• The Hawks continued their streak of committing fewer turnovers than their opponents in every game this season.
• Despite the win, Hartford's 17 made field goals were the fewest by the Hawks in a game this year.

 
UP NEXT:
The Hawks will close out their four-game road trip on Friday, Dec. 1, when Hartford visits ACC opponent North Carolina at 3 p.m. It will be Hartford's first meeting against the Tar Heels (3-2), who have won three of their past four games. UNC will host Minnesota on Wednesday, Nov. 29.