WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  - The Hartford women's basketball team had a dominating showing over Suffolk University with a final score 71-56. With this win, the Hawks clinched a spot in the Conference of New England (CNE) playoffs. Head Coach Polly Thomason claimed her 350th victory in tonight's game.

Rapid Recap:

• The Rams opened the scoring intercepting a pass by the Hawks and Amanda Deangelis tipping it in off the glass. The two teams found themselves at a stale-mate 9-9 with 4:16 on the clock. Sophomore Taryn Blevins (St. Louis, Mo.) made big plays for the Hawks, as she was clean beyond the arc, and she gave the team some distance. Freshman Emma O'Hare (Drexel Hill, Pa.) was lights out from the top of the key this evening and continued the Hawks 11-point run to close out the first quarter, 22-11.
• In the second quarter, sophomore Ava Naszimento (Secaucus, N.J.) drove up the lane for her own six-point run against the Rams. The Rams were able to put a good sequence together, dropping a ten point run with plays by Deangelis and Jordan Moreau. Sophomore Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) closed out the half swishing two three-point baskets to give the Hawks their largest lead so far 44-29.
• The Hawks were pressed hard in the second half as the Rams attempted to close in on their large differential. Sabia and Blevins knocked down big three's for the team and kept the Rams at a comfortable distance, 56-38 with 3:13 to go. Naszimento dominated in the paint, lofting up lay-ups and free throws to close out the third with a 24-point lead, 64-40.
• The Rams maintained high pressure on the Hawks and were able to put together a seven point play to open the fourth quarter. Both teams were sent to the line in a free-throw shoot-out as we moved through the quarter. Khaya Skene for the Rams claimed the final points of the match but it was not enough to pull this win from Hartford. The Hawks closed out this dominating win with a final score of 71-56.

Post-Game Press:
"It was a great team win, we really needed it heading into the conference tournament next weekend," said Freshman Emma O'Hare (Drexel Hill, Pa.). "I am playing a new position this year I am not normally a point guard I am usually a shooting guard. But I have learned to develop and adjust and overall has been a good experience. It has been a point of emphasis for the team to continue to build each other up continue to challenge one another in practice to keep each other accountable."

"This 350th win means a lot, it means I have had a lot of great staff, really great players in my career and just overall really blessed," said Head Coach Polly Thomason. "Tonight I felt like we were balanced, came out with a lot of confidence, took some lanes to drive, and an overall strong team effort. Our goal all along was to head to the conference tournament and I am really proud of this team's hard work to get to compete and be able to play our best basketball."

• Naszimento dropped 17 points on the Rams (6-9 FG, 5-5 FT) along with three rebounds and two assists. O'Hare had a stellar performance with nine points (3-8 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT) nabbing six rebounds off the board and had six assists. Next leader for the Hawks was Blevins adding 13 points to the scoreboard (5-10 FG, 3-5 3PT) along with two rebounds and three assists.
• Amanda DeAngelis scored an impressive 17 points in tonight's match-up (7-16 FG, 0-2 3PT, 3-4 FT) and grabbed eight rebounds off the glass. 
• The Hawks lead in points off the bench over the Rams 21-7 while Rams lead in the paint 32-26.

Up Next: 
The Hawks conclude their season this Saturday on the road to take on Curry College in Milton, Mass. February 22nd at 1:00 p.m.