WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Hartford women's basketball team dropped a 58-51 decision to Merrimack Thursday night. The Hawks fell to 2-23 overall, while the Warriors improved to 11-14 on the year.
 
MERRIMACK 58, HARTFORD 51
Merrimack jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after the opening minute of the game before senior Irene Primo would respond with a 3 to cut the gap to 5-3. After trading baskets over the next few minutes, the Hawks posted a 7-0 run capped off by a 3-point field goal from graduate student Jasmine Barnes to take their first lead of the game at 12-10. Hartford would take a 17-14 lead into the second quarter. 
 
After a slow start to the second quarter the teams went back-and-forth, trading baskets throughout the remainder of the first half. Hartford utilized a 10-0 run in the latter portion of the second quarter to grow its lead to as many as 5 points, at 31-26. Following a last-second layup from Merrimack's Marissa Hamilton, Hartford carried a 31-28 lead into the locker room.
 
Coming out of the halftime break, the Hawks got on the board quickly when freshman Elena Houghton hit jumper at the 9:30 mark. However, after outscoring Hartford 10-4 in the frame, Merrimack regained a slim 38-35 lead heading into the fourth.
 
With a fast-paced fourth quarter underway, the Hawks took back the lead, 51-49, with just 2:51 remaining in regulation. Things took a turn with less than a minute to play when, trailing by two, Hartford's bench was assessed a technical foul that gave Merrimack two shots and the ball. Kaylee Thomas hit the first free throw to extend the Warriors' lead to three and the Hawks couldn't close the gap, ultimately falling 58-51. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Hartford finished with three players in scoring in double figures
• Dowding led the Hawks with 14 points while Primo finished with 11 points of her own
• Elena Houghton tied her career-high mark in scoring with 12 points on the night
• Sophomore Ta'Nya Outten notched career-highs in rebounds and blocks, hauling in 12 boards while rejecting four shots
• Freshman Tatum Forbes swiped a game-high five steals, tying her career-high mark set last time out against Villa Maria
• Merrimack outrebounded Hartford 43-37
• Thomas led all scorers with 19 points for the Warriors

NEXT ON TAP
Hartford will close out its regular season with a two-game weekend set against Chicago State on Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26. Tipoff between the Hawks and Cougars on both days is set for 1 p.m.