WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Sophomore Paula Maurina scored a game-high 16 points as the Hartford women's basketball team fell, 61-59, to UNH on Monday. With the Hawks leading 41-22 at the half, UNH used a late comeback to take home the victory.
 
Hartford falls to 2-21 overall and 2-10 in conference play while the Wildcats improve to 6-17 overall and 3-9 in the America East. 
 
UNH 61, HARTFORD 59
The Wildcats opened the game on a 4-0 run, taking the lead after the opening three minutes. The Hawks responded in turn with a 5-0 stretch of its own, capped off by a Carmen Villalobos three, taking the lead. Hartford would continue its hot start, exploding for an 11-0 run, using a pair of triple from Vilallobs and Abby Streeter, to take a 16-6 lead with 3:08 left in the first. The Wildcats would put an end to the Hawks strong start, ending the quarter on a 6-2 run as Hartford lead, 18-12 after one. It wouldn't take long for the Hawks to get going in the second quarter, using a 7-0 run to reopen a double-digit advantage, 25-14 at the 7:18 mark. UNH would pull back within single digits, but another 9-0 Hartford stretch saw the Hawks start to pull away. Marisa Lee started the run with a layup before Maurina scored three straight points followed by a Streeter three to cap off the stretch. Hartford lead, 36-18 with less than two minutes left in the half. Hartford and UNH traded baskets in the closing moments but a Najla Cecunjanin triple at the buzzer saw the Hawks enter the halftime break up, 41-22. The 41 points were the most in a first-half by the Hawks this season.
 
UNH went on a scoring tear in the third quarter going on a 7-0 run to cut the Hawks' lead to 41-29. After an Ingram layup cut the Wildcats' momentum, UNH would use a 13-0 stretch to pull within one, 43-32, at the 3:09 mark. Hartford would extend the gap back to three after a Villalobos layup, but UNH would take the lead, 49-47, after a Wildcat three beat the buzzer. UNH carried its momentum into the fourth quarter, starting on a 5-0 run to build a 54-47 lead. Hartford would respond with a 5-0 run of it's own, capped off by an Ingram free-throw, pulling back within two, 54-42, with 3:26 remaining in the game. The Hawks would complete its comeback, tying the game at 57 all after another clutch Ingram basket. With the two team's trading baskets in the closing minute, UNH would take the lead with 11 seconds left, holding on a 61-59 win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Maurina finished a perfect 6-of-6 from the field
• She also grabbed four rebounds, dished out four assists and tallied three steals
• Villalobos (12 points) and  Streeter (11 points) joined Maurina in double digits
• Villalobos grabbed a team-high seven rebounds
• The Hawks shot 60.0 percent in the first half, the best shooting clip this season
• Hartford's 41 first half points were the most in the opening stanza this year

NEXT ON TAP
Hartford hits the road for a quick midweek stop in Orono, Maine on Wednesday. The Hawks and Black Bears are set for a 7 p.m. clash on ESPN+.
 
For more information on the Hartford women's basketball team, stay with HartfordHawks.com for updates and follow the team on social media (Twitter | Instagram)