WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Sophomore Nayeli Dowding and freshman Tatum Forbes tied for the team-lead scoring 12 points a-piece as the Hartford Women's Basketball team dropped a, 59-47, decision against Chicago State Sunday afternoon. The Hawks fall to 0-21 on the season, while the Cougars improve to 3-21.
 
CHICAGO STATE 57, HARTFORD 49
After Chicago State opened up the scoring at the 9:02 mark of the first, Hartford responded with a 10-3 run, capped off by five straight free throws from Forbes. However, the Cougars closed the gap to just three points heading into the opening break, as the Hawks led 12-9. Both sides would trade baskets back-and-forth to open-up the second, before Hartford would reestablish their momentum from the first, utilizing a 13-4 run over the final five minutes of the half to take a 29-19 lead into the break.

Coming out into the second half, back-to-back three pointers from senior Irene Primo fueled a Hartford 8-2 run, extending its halftime advantage to a season-high 14 points. Now leading Chicago State 35-21 the Hawks looked to tighten up their defense heading into the latter stages of the game. However, the Cougars were able to outscore the Hawks 16-6 over the final minutes of the third to shrink Hartford's lead to 41-37 heading into the fourth. After playing to a tie at 45-45 with 7:21 remaining in regulation, Chicago State would go on a 14-0 run to close out the game, as Hartford eventually fell, 57-49.
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Dowding and Forbes tied for the team-lead in scoring, finishing with 12 points each
• Primo scored 11 points to finish in double figures for the third time in her previous five outings
• Freshman Elena Houghton paced her squad dishing out three assists
• Freshman Zaiha Minnis grabbed a team, season, and career-high 15 rebounds
• Minnis' rebound total marks the most in a single-game for the Hawks since Sierra Smith ('22) grabbed 14 boards against Brown back on Nov. 23, 2021
• Chicago State outrebounded Hartford 47-40
• Janiah Newell led all scorers, finishing with 22 points for the Cougars

 
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford heads back out on the road taking on Northern Vermont-Johnson on Sunday, Feb. 5. Tipoff between the Hawks and Badgers is set for 2 p.m.