ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Hartford women's basketball suffered a tough loss against Nazareth University in the second round of the Sandy DeWolf McCormack Memorial Holiday Tournament this Monday afternoon, 69-67.

Rapid Recap:

• Sophomore Ava Naszimento (Secacus, N.J.) netted the first points for the Hawks tossing up two good free throws in the opening minutes. The Golden Flyers were aggressive in the paint closing down the Hawks lead to 5-4.  Sophomore Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.) was solid in the first quarter for the Hawks nabbing a swift defensive rebound and launching up a jump shot. The two teams battled early with the largest lead of the quarter being only a three point differential off of a jumper from freshman Mikaela Williams (Windsor, Conn.) 12-9. In the final minutes sophomore Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) sank the final points for the Hawks with a jump shot to close out the first with a one point differential 15-14.
• Marchesani knocked down a three-pointer to kick of the second quarter off the hands of freshman Emma O'Hare (Drexel Hill, Pa.). The Golden Flyers remained close netting a a layup and three pointer of their own to steal the lead 20-17. Sabia pushed the ball outside to find Marchesani as she put away her second three of the quarter in the first three minutes. The Hawks struggled as they moved through this quarter with a few missed shots inside the paint. Marchesani lead the Hawks putting up an impressive 11 points. Hawks trailed by seven, 32-25 heading into the third quarter. 
• O'Hare opened the third with power putting up four points in the opening minutes. Both teams struggled to put numbers on the board this quarter. The Hawks found themselves in some foul trouble giving four free throw points to the Golden Flyers. Sophomore Sidnee Bowen was the Hawk to close out the third slamming down a big three-pointer from a slick pass by O'Hare, Golden Flyers continued their lead heading into the fourth at 44-37.
• Rochester fans were set up for an exciting fourth quarter to end this tournament. The Golden Flyers' Madalyn Kelly knocked down an early three pointer in the first eight seconds. Sabia turned up the heat for the Hawks claiming a three pointer of her own with seven minutes left, still behind by six points. Teams exchanged fouls in the next minutes that closed down the Golden Flyers lead and with less than five minutes left it was 56-57. Williams scored the next four points on the court and lobbed a perfect pass to find Marchesani at the top of the circle today to knock down another three. Williams tied up the score to 67-67 with 39 seconds remaining. The Hawks had a final chance at the buzzer but were unable to pull away the win off of a fast break. The Hawks take a last minute timeout with 0.08 seconds on the clock, but with a team violation they lost possession. The Golden Flyers Katie Maclachlan found Sarina Mcdowell right under the net that sealed a buzzer beater win for Nazareth University, finishing the game with a 69-67 win.

Inside the Numbers:

• Marchesani lead the Hawks offense putting up 15 points in today's matchup (6-14 FG 3-7 3 PT, 0-0 FT) and two rebounds. Sabia was next to lead for the Hawks with 14 points (5-14 FG, 1-6 3PT, 3-4 FT) claiming five rebounds. Williams was a top leader for the Hawks helping the team both offensively and defensively she put up an impressive 14 points (6-11 FG, 0-0 3 PT, 2-3 FT) along with four rebounds.  
• Madalyn Kelly was the lead for the Golden Flyers with 17 points leading the match in points (7-13 FG, 3-6 3PT, 0-3 FT) along with 4 rebounds.
• The two teams tied for points in the paint at 30, with 11 lead changes in the match, and the Hawks lead 24-7 in second chance points over Nazareth

Up Next:
The Hawks will host Gordon College this upcoming Saturday January 4th with a 1:00 p.m. tip-off. 

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