BIDDEFORD, Maine - The Hartford women's basketball team could not best the Nor'Easters for a second-time this season falling on the road to the University of New England by a 71-58 final. 

Rapid Recap:

• The Hawks fell behind 10-0 to start off the game, before sophomore Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) netted a three to stop the bleeding with 3:17 to play in the quarter. After the Nor'Easters answered, Sabia drilled another from deep to keep Hartford within seven points. Freshman Maddie MacCannell (Portsmouth, N.H.) ended the quarter strong flipping in a buzzer-beater in her first game back since December 11th as the Hawks were down 15-8. 
• The home team blossomed the lead back to double-figures holding a 21-10 lead. Freshman Mikaela Williams (Windsor, Conn.) converted a euro-step before making a shot at the charity stripe as the lead was cut down to eight. The Nor'Easters went on a 9-2 closing run for the half taking a 30-15 lead into the break.
• The Hawks battled back to kick off the second half scoring seven of the first nine points including a three-pointer for sophomore Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.). UNE would take control back to extend the lead to 43-24 with 2:43 to play in the quarter. Sophomore Taryn Blevins (St. Louis, Mo.) would drill a three-pointer followed by another bucket by MacCannell, but the Hawks would be down 48-31 with 10 minutes to play. 
• The Nor'Easters would get the lead to a game-high 20 points with 8:05 to play, but freshman Maya Okoro (Frisco, Texas) kick started a 9-3 run as the Hawks had the lead down to just 59-45 with 5:17 to play. Back-to-back Sabia buckets followed by two shots from the free throw line by freshman Emma O'Hare (Drexel Hill, Pa.) cut the lead to 67-57, but the Hawks ran out of time falling by the 71-58 margin. 

Inside the Numbers:

• Sabia led the offensive output with 14 points (5-12 FG, 3-7 3PT, 1-4 FT) to go with four boards. Marchesani tallied 12 points (3-10 FG, 2-4 3PT, 4-4 FT) and two steals. Sophomore Ava Naszimento (Secacus, N.J.) added 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 FT) and six rebounds in the loss. 
• Sydney Jenisch paced the Nor'Easters with 19 points (8-13 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-4 FT) and three steals. Gabby Soter added 13 points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, three assists and three steals. 
• The University of New England was dominant off turnovers scoring 29 points compared to just eight for the Hawks. 
• Hartford currently sits in the #5 seed in the Conference of New England (CNE) playoff picture 5-5 in conference play, UNE is right above the Hawks in 4th place at a 7-3 CNE record. 

Up Next:
The Hawks will host Western New England University on Tuesday with a 5:30 PM start. 

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