PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The University of Hartford women's basketball team travels to Providence for a chance to make the Conference of New England (CNE) Championship on Friday night with a 5:30 PM tip. 

No. 4 University of Hartford Hawks (15-11, 11-5 CNE)

No. 1 Johnson & Wales University Wildcats (21-4, 15-1 CNE)

Game Headlines:
The Hawks will be looking to beat the Wildcats for the second time this season, while also looking to secure a spot in the CNE Championship game for the first time in program history. 

Season Series:
The Hawks and Wildcats split the season series, with each team winning on the road. Hartford won at Johnson & Wales on January 6th by a 69-64 final. The Wildcats returned the favor in West Hartford winning by a 69-55 final on January 31st. 

Hartford Headlines:

• The Hawks defeated the University of New England on February 25th in the first round of the tournament by 64-55 final in Chase Arena. Junior Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.) led the Hawks with 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals. 
• Head Coach Jackie Smith '11 has the Hartford women's basketball team playing get in the crunch time going 6-2 in games separated by six or fewer points on the season. The defense continues to be the calling card for the Hawks holding opponents to 38.2% from the floor and 29.3% from three.

Players to Watch:

• Junior Ava Naszimento (Secaucus, N.J.) made her return to the floor on Wednesday night after missing the previous four games due to injury. Naszimento has been stellar all season long averaging 12.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season. Her impact is felt at all times with her on the floor as the traditional starting center has been key to creating offensive space by drawing extra help defensively. Ava ended Wednesday night with seven points on 3-3 from the floor in limited minutes. Hartford will need a bigger game from their star if they hope to compete with Johnson & Wales.
• Marchesani continues to be an offensive spark for Hartford this season. The junior shooting guard is averaging 12.5 points per game this season on 39.0% from behind the three-point arc. Ella's biggest impact comes in her confidence on the floor. If she has a big game watch out for the Hawks to complete the upset. 
• Freshman Allie Shenloogian (Park Ridge, N.J.) continues to be every for Hartford in big games this season. The true freshman is averaging 8.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Down the stretch the four-time CNE Rookie of the Week has been crucial as a bench threat as well as key contributor to big wins this season. 
• Junior Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) continues to thrive in her junior season averaging 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Sabia has been a huge defensive-rebounder for the Hawks in recent weeks and if she continues to get to the basket it opens up the offense even more.  

Johnson & Wales Headlines:

• The Wildcats will host their first CNE Playoff game on February 27th in year one of being apart of the CNE. Johnson & Wales dominated the conference in its first season holding a 15-1 record while outscoring opponents by 21.4 points on average. Head coach Dino Porcic is just in his third season as the leader of the program leads JWU into Friday's game with a 12 game winning streak. 
• Johnson & Wales has had recent playoff struggles going 1-2 over the past two seasons in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Playoffs with its lone win coming in a #1 vs #8 match up over Elms College. 

Players to Watch:

• Sophomore Grace Jaffray (Blue Hill, Maine) is a favorite to be named CNE Offensive Player of the Year as the second year star averaged 23.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.6 assists per game this season. Jaffray did miss the last contest against the Hawks, but if Hartford wants to upset JWU, #33 can not have a huge night. 
• Sophomore Brianne Foley (New Rochelle, N.Y.) was also a force this season averaging 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game for JWU. Foley was the catalyst for the Wildcats as the defeated Hartford back on January 31st scoring 17 points to go with nine rebounds and three steals as she played all 40 minutes in the win. 
• The final piece to the sophomore three for Johnson & Wales is Isabella Suero (Newburgh, N.Y.). Suero averaged 10.3 points a night this season to go with 2.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds. 

Statistical Breakdown:
Points per game: Johnson & Wales (73.8), Hartford (60.4)
Opponents points per game: Johnson & Wales (56.6), Hartford (57.5)
Field goal percentage: Hartford (40.3%), Johnson & Wales (39.3%)
Three-point percentage: Hartford (31.9%), Johnson & Wales (30.7%)
Rebound margin: Johnson & Wales (+2.4), Hartford (-0.8)
Assist to turnover ratio: Johnson & Wales (1.1), Hartford (0.7)
Clutch game record (games decided by six points or fewer): Hartford (6-2), Johnson & Wales (2-2)

Links to the Game:
Live Stream
Live Stats

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