SPRINGFIELD, Mass.  - The Hartford women's basketball team picked up their second win of 2025-26 on Saturday night defeating Springfield College by a 63-57 final. 

Rapid Recap:

• The Hawks flew ahead 6-0 in the opening minutes behind two layups by junior Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.) and a finish by junior Ava Naszimento (Secacus, N.J.). The Pride would score four of the next seven points, but Hartford would respond with an 8-2 run highlighted by two baskets for freshman Gabrielle Matthews (Raleigh, N.C.). Springfield would get a three-pointer to cut the Hawk lead to 17-9, but Marchesani ended the quarter drilling a three of her own. 
• The teams would trade baskets in the first five minutes of the second quarter with the Hawk lead staying at 23-13. Junior Taryn Blevins (St. Louis, Mo.) knocked down a jumper, followed by a trifecta for junior Sidnee Bowden (Canton, Ohio) as the lead stayed at 13 points. Sophomore Mackenzie Hohulin (Plymouth, Mass.) finished the final basket of the half for Hartford as the lead was 32-19 headed into the break. 
• The Pride came out of the second half strong scoring nine-straight points as the lead was down to just four points. Marchesani caught fire scoring going on a personal 9-2 run to get the lead back up to double-digits. Bowden and Matthews added to the flurry combining for seven more points part of the massive 16-5 run as the Hawks pushed the lead to 48-33 with 2:32 to play in the quarter. The Pride ended the quarter with a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to nine points with 10 minutes to play. 
• Naszimento kicked off the fourth with a paint finish assisted by Blevins, followed by a three for Bowden as the Hawks went on a 7-2 run over the first four minutes. Springfield would answer with a 9-2 spurt to cut the Hawk lead to just 57-50 with 2:49 to play. Naszimento finished a huge layup to get the lead back to nine and clutch free throws would lock in the victory for Hartford at 63-57. 

Post Game Press:
"We executed the scout really well", said junior Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.). "We were able to stay poised and control what we could control. Everyone played there role well and the bench energy was great which helped us pull the win out on the road."

Inside The Numbers:

• Marchesani netted a new career-high in the win scoring 22 points (7-13 FG, 5-9 3PT, 3-4 FT) to go with three rebounds and a steal. Bowden was the only other Hawk in double-figures with 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 3PT) with four boards and two blocks. Matthews notched a career-high nine points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3PT), two assists and two rebounds. Naszimento added eight points (4-8 FG, 0-2 FT), three rebounds and a block in the win. 
• Amanda Leary led the Pride scoring 13 points (5-15 FG, 2-8 3PT, 1-2 FT) to go with six rebounds and three steals. Natalie Lucas added 13 points (4-14 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4-5 FT) and six rebounds in the loss.
• The Hawks shot an outstanding 54.5% (24-44) from the floor and a scorching 53.3% (8-15) from behind the arc. Springfield would only shoot 35.0% (21-60) and 21.1% (4-19) from deep from the loss. 
• Hartford would also outscore the Pride 21-5 in bench points and had a 28-24 points in the paint edge in the victory.

Up Next:
The Hawks will take on #11 Trinity College on the road at 6:00 PM on Monday night. 

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