NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - The Hartford women's basketball team kicked off the 2025-26 season on Saturday afternoon in the Tyler Tip-Off Tournament against California Lutheran University falling by a 77-51 final. 

Rapid Recap:

• The Regals jumped ahead by a 8-2 margin over the first three minutes of the game. Junior Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.) netted a key three as the Hawks trimmed the deficit to just 10-7. Junior Taryn Blevins (St. Louis, Mo.) followed it up with a 5-0 spurt by herself to keep the Hawks trailing by just two points with 4:15 left in the first. The Regals would hold the slim lead throughout the period taking a 23-20 advantage into the second. 
• Back-to-back triples extended Cal Lutheran's lead to nine points to start the second quarter. The lead would get to double-digits with 6:15 to play in the half, but Hartford would counter with a 7-3 run to keep the deficit within six points. The Regals would close the half on a 7-2 run with junior Kendall Rieman (Chicago, Ill.) getting the final bucket for the Hawks in the half. 
• The Regals once again started the quarter strong pushing the advantage to 48-34. Marchesani would try and get the Hawks back into it making a layup before netting another triple, but the Regals would respond with a 9-0 run to get the lead to 18 points. Cal Lutheran would tack on five points in the final minute of the third as the lead hit 64-41 after three quarters. 
• Senior Paige Loughman (Bernardston, Mass.) started off the fourth quarter finishing a layup which would be her first basket since December 30th of 2023 after missing a year and a half due to injury. Freshman Allie Shenloogian (Park Ridge, N.J.) would also add a basket, but the Regals stayed in the lead comfortably. Marchesani would net another three, but it came too late as Cal Lutheran would win by a 77-51 margin. 

Inside The Numbers:

• Marchesani led the Hawks in scoring with 17 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3PT, 4-6 FT) to go with three rebounds and two steals. Blevins had a solid outing in 2025-26 scoring nine points (3-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-3 FT) to go with four boards and two assists. Junior Ava Naszimento (Secaucus, N.J.) added nine points (3-4 FG, 3-6 FT) and four boards. 
• Alline Ballard paced the Regals with 17 points (8-10 FG, 1-1 FT) and nine rebounds in the win. Janna Holley added 12 points (5-13 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-2 FT), eight steals and three rebounds. 
• The Regals scored 31 points off of Hawk turnovers while Hartford only score three off of Cal Lutheran turnovers. The Regals also finished with a 38-22 points in the paint advantage and a 18-6 upper hand in fast break points. 

Up Next:
The Hawks will conclude the Tyler Tip-Off Tournament against #4 Smith College at 3:00 PM on Sunday. 

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