WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford women's basketball team went toe-to-toe against Roger WIlliams University as they battled into overtime. Hartford ultimately fell short in extra minutes with a final score of 68-63.

Rapid Recap:

• Roger Williams opened the game with early paint points to take a 4-0 lead. Hartford settled in midway through the quarter behind strong interior finishes from junior Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.) and junior Ava Naszimento (Seacaucus, N.J.), while junior Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) added a three to help cut the deficit.. RWU closed the period with a late six-point run, but a buzzer-beating layup by freshman Allie Shenloogian (Park Ridge, N.J.) capped the quarter as Hartford trailed 19-13.
• Hartford found their rhythm in this second quarter, using efficient shooting and strong defensive plays to erase the early deficit. Marchesani sparked the run with a pair of three-pointers, while junior Sidnee Bowden (Canton, Ohio) added a key triple and inside finish to give the Hawks their first lead of the game. The Hartford Hawks maintained control late in the half behind balanced scoring and timely stops, heading into the locker rooms with a 35-32 advantage.
• Hartford continued their control on the court in this third quarter, stringing together stops and capitalizing inside to build separation. Naszimento anchored both ends of the floor, while Hartford's defense limited RWU's scoring chances and forced turnovers. The sustained run allowed Hartford to open up its largest lead of the game, heading into the final quarter up 51-43.
• Hartford entered the final period with a double-digit advantage built to ten by Boden as she secured the rebound, pushed the pace, and finished at the rim on the other end. Hartford continued to push back the margin to 12 early with junior Taryn Blevin (St. Louis, Mo.) sinking extra points from the free throw line. Hartford's lead quickly shrank as RWU went on a determined run fueled by fastbreak points and outside shooting, cutting down the lead to just a single possession with little time remaining. With the score tied at 58 in the closing seconds, Hartford was unable to convert on their final possession sending the two teams into overtime.
• The Hartford Hawks struck first in overtime as Naszimento drove the lane for a quick layup, giving the Hawks an early two-point edge. RWU answered quickly, with Chloe Richardson knocking down a three to earn back the lead. The teams traded baskets and missed chances in a tense finish. As the clock ticked down, In the final moments, RWU's clutch scoring put them ahead, and Hartford couldn't complete the comeback, final score stood at 68-63.

• Naszimento led the Hartford team tonight putting up an impressive 18 points (8-15 FG, 2-10 FT) along with five rebounds and three assists. Marchesani came in just behind with 15 points (4-14 FG, 2-7 3PT, 5-5 FT) grabbing two boards, and adding one assist. Bowden showed her strength in today's match-up with eight points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-1 FT) taking down four rebounds and three assists to add to her stat sheet.
• Roger Williams' leader was Sophia Coppola with 22 points (8-13 FG, 2-3 3PT, 4-6 FT) along with seven rebounds.
• Roger Williams led in fastbreak points over Hartford 15-4, as Hartford led in points off turnovers 17-11 over RWU.

Up Next:
The Hawks will hit the road to take on Wentworth Institute of Technology this Saturday, January 24th with a tip-off at 12:00 P.M.