WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  - The Hartford women's basketball team were defeated by Western New England University on Tuesday evening with a final score of 70-49

Rapid Recap:

• Sophomore Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) opened this match with a swift two-points off an offensive rebound after teams battled at the net for the first two minutes. The Golden Bears opened the game with a dominating eight point run, 8-2 with 6:35 to go in the first. Sophomore Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) drained a three from beyond the arc to try and halt the Golden Bears' momentum, the opposing team answered with a powerful six-point run now standing at 16-7 over the Hawks. The Hawks battled in the paint this opening quarter with scrappy plays made by Sophomore Ava Naszimento (Secaucus, N.J.) and Sabia to close out the first 25-13 behind the Golden Bears.
• The Golden Bears struck first in the second quarter with threes from Perry Blasetti and Caitlyn Hunt to quickly add six points to the board. Freshman Emma O'Hare (Drexel Hill, Pa.) claimed her first points of the game as she drove up the lane and released a smooth floating jumper through the hands of a Golden Bear. O'Hare took some contact in that play to put her at the line for an and-1 with 5:43 left, 31-16. The Golden Bears had solid final minutes of the first half knocking down back to back points pulling away from Hawks ending up 38-21. 
• The Hawks kicked off the second half dominating in the paint with key plays by Sophomore Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.) and Naszimento. The Golden Bears continue to put away every shot they toss to the hoop making it difficult for the Hawks to catch up. The Golden Bears brought their lead to 22 with a driving lay-up by Lilly Hedge. Naszimento and O'Hare stepped up with crucial points in this quarter, the Golden Bears remained ahead despite the Hawks efforts. The Golden Bears closed the third quarter 58-38.
• The Hawks and Golden Bears open the fourth trading points at the free-throw line, then teams go score-less for the next three minutes as both teams protect their net. Freshman Mikaela Williams (Windsor, Conn.) takes a powerful drive to the basket putting away her sixth point of the game. The Golden Bears close out this match 70-49.

• Naszimento lead the Hawks putting up 12 points tonight (6-7 FG, 0-0 3-PT, 0-0 FT) along with seven rebounds for the team. Next leader in this match-up was O'Hare she brought home nine points (2-7 FG, 0-2 3-PT, 5-5 FT) and nabbed two rebounds off the glass. Marchesani had seven points (3-9 FG, 1-2 3-PT, 0-0 FT).
• The Golden Bears leader was Emma Kahn with 13 points (5-9 FG, 2-4 3-PT, 1-1 FT) and grabbed one rebound.
• Both teams dominated in the paint tonight the Hawks put up 28 while the Golden Bears claimed 32.

Up Next:
The Hawks will hit the road next to face-off against Gordon College on Saturday February 1st at 1:00 p.m.