WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Sophomore Paula Maurina scored a game-high 14 points as the Hawks fourth-quarter comeback came up short, dropping a 51-48 decision to UMBC on Wednesday evening. Hartford falls to 2-19 overall and 2-8 in conference play while the Retrievers improve to 3-15 overall and 2-6 in the America East. 
 
UMBC 51, HARTFORD 48
Abby Streeter would get the Hawks started early, sinking a triple to give Hartford the quick lead. Paula Maurina would extend the lead to five, 10-5, after back-to-back buckets with 6:37 left in the first quarter. The Hawks would go cold however, not scoring another basket in the opening stanza as UMBC led, 11-10, after one. The Retrievers would open the second quarter on a 5-0 run, taking a 16-10 lead two minutes into the quarter. Jabria Ingram would put an end to UMBC's run after making a tough driving layup. The Hawks would continue to fight back, taking a 19-18 lead after a Carmen Villalobos three at the 4:12 mark. UMBC would quickly retake the lead however, using an 8-2 run at the end of the half, taking a 26-21 advantgae into the break.
 
UMBC extended its lead to as high as 10 early in the third quarter, leading 33-25 at the six-minute mark. The Hawks continued to fight back though, cutting the gap to four after a Villalobos three. Maurina would score the final three points of the quarter, bringing the Hawks within one as UMBC narrowly led, 36-35. Both teams would trade baskets to start the fourth quarter before UMBC extended its lead to six, 45-39, with 7:15 left in the game. The Hawks would use a late 5-0 run to cut the deficit back to one, 47-46, after a Najla Cecunjanin three and a Farcy layup. After a Retrievers basket, Cecunjanin brought the Hawks back within one, however UMBC would hold on for a 51-48 win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Maurina narrowly missed out on a double-double, adding a team-high nine rebounds
• Villalobos joined Maurina in double figures, scoring 12 points
• The Hawks outshot the Retrievers, 35.1. percent to 32.1 percent
• Maurina and Farcy finished with a game-high two blocks each
• UMBC held a 44-33 advantage in rebounding

NEXT ON TAP
Hartford continues its four-game homestand with a matchup against NJIT on Saturday. Tipoff from Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion is set for 2 p.m.

---

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)