NEW BRITAIN, Conn. –Graduate student Ella Awobajo registered her sixth double-digit scoring effort in her last seven games, to lead Hartford to the 54-52 victory over Central Connecticut Friday night
 
Awobajo had a career-high 27 points, as the Hawks improve to 6-7 on the season. Kiana Patterson scored a team-high 14 points, as the Blue Devils fall to 3-7 overall.
 
HARTFORD 54 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 52
Awobajo pushed Hartford to a six-point lead (12-6) in the first quarter, scoring seven of the Hawks' first 12 points, capped off by a three pointer with 5:56 remaining in the opening period. Hartford remained in front midway through the second quarter, as Awobajo knocked down another three pointer, giving the Hawks a 23-18 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the half. Central Connecticut, however, closed within one point, scoring four straight to end the second quarter and cutting Hartford's advantage to 31-30. 
 
After a back-and-forth third quarter, the Blue Devils held a one point lead with 50 seconds remaining in the game. Awobajo gave the Hawks the advantage back, as she knocked down a quick layup off an inbound pass for the 50-49 lead. Sophomore Jade Young then came up big on the next possession, stealing a pass and finding Awobajo in transition for the easy basket and sealing the 54-52 victory.
 
NEWS AND NOTES

• Awobajo's 27 points was the most in single game since Janelle Harrison scored 27 against UMass Lowell on Feb. 12, 2017.
• Senior Lindsey Abed scored 17 points, 12 in the second half, and registered a game-high four steals. 
• It is the seventh game this season the Hawks have recorded double digit steals (11), and the most since Hartford registered 14 against Rhode Island.
• It the Hawks fifth consecutive win against the Blue Devils. 

 
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford has little rest as they hit the road to take on NJIT Sunday afternoon for its final game of 2018. Opening tip for the game is 2 p.m. on ESPN+.