WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  - The Hartford women's basketball team ranked fourth-seed secured a 64-55 victory over #5 University of New England in the first round of the Conference of New England (CNE) Tournament inside the Chase Arena this Tuesday. With this win, the Hawks advance to the CNE semifinals and notched their first post-season victory since enter the CNE, and also the first since the 2018-19 season.

Rapid Recap:

• The Hawks weathered an early push from the Nor'easters, who opened the game with a six-point run behind a pair of buckets from Maddy Werner. Hartford quickly turned up the heat as junior Taryn Blevins (St Louis, Mo.) knocked down a triple off of a freshman Allie Shenloogian (Park Ridge, N.J.) assist to cut into the deficit. Junior Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.) added a jumper and driving layup to help settle the offense, while Shenloogian and junior Ava Naszimento (Secaucus, N.J.) controlled the glass. Hartford took the advantage into the second quarter at 16-12.
• UNE briefly grabbed momentum early in the period with a Jaylyn Bartolome layup in the opening possession to cut the differential to just two. Shenloogian and Blevins hit key jumpers to maintain control, while the Hawks' defense forced turnovers and contested shots. Marchesani converted a layup in transition before following it up with a timely three-pointer. Junior Sidnee Bowden (Canton, Ohio) capped the quarter with a buzzer-beating three off a Shenloogian pass, giving the Hawks a 31-22 lead heading into halftime.
• Hartford continued to build their lead behind strong interior play, junior Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) and Marchesani fueled the team with a layup and capitalizing on fastbreak opportunities. The Hawks kept UNE off balance, staying aggressive in the paint collecting rebounds and advancing the ball with determination to move on to the next round. The Nor'easters closed this third quarter strong as Sydney Jenisch dropped a mid-range jumper and Gabby Soter tallied a big three-pointer to bring the Hawks' lead down to just three. Marchesani had the last word in the third with a swift layup under the rim to carry a 48-43 advantage moving into the fourth.
• The Hawks held firm in this final quarter as UNE tried to mount a comeback. Shenloogian and Marchesani pushed the pace, converting fastbreaks, forcing turnovers, and drawing fouls to keep the Hawks ahead. Sabia and Naszimento scored in the paint, while Blevins was crucial sealing necessary free throws as we approached the final minutes. With under two to go the Hawks were up four and applying the pressure, the Nor'easters were unable to finish beyond the arc and junior Kendall Rieman (Chicago,Ill.) collected key rebounds to hold possession as the clock ticked down. The Hawks closed out this match with trips to the free-throw line to seal the win, 64-55.

Post Game Press: 

• "You know it was a big game,we were playing home and we wanted to show out today. This was the third time playing UNE in just two weeks so we knew what was coming and we were prepared for everything," said junior Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.). "Coach emphasized playing off of my two feet, and I definitely did that tonight and it showed. My shots were falling, I was shooting confidently, and it was a big win for us. I can't just be an offensive threat, I need to be on the defensive end too, and our defense just leads into our offense, and we have to play hard no matter what. 

•   "This win was gritty and tough, just like what playoff basketball is" said head coach Jackie Smith. "I am super proud of the team, they just found different ways, different individuals making significant contributions it was a really good overall team win." When asked about Marchesani's contributions tonight, Smith had this to say, "Ella plays with so much confidence, and I am so glad she does because we are tough on her, talking about little nuances that can be changed in the game, but she is so coachable. That is what makes me so proud, I teach her one thing and she immediately does it and makes that change in the next game."

• Marchesani led the charge for the Hawks today with 19 points (8-14 FG, 2-7 3PT, 1-2 FT) along with seven rebounds, and three assists. Next to lead was Sabia adding 10 points (3-8 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-4 FT) collecting nine boards. Shenloogian filled up the stat sheet ending with nine points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-4 FT) to go with seven boards and five assists. 
• For the Nor'easters it was Gabby Soter as she brought in 18 points (4-15 FG, 3-9 3PT, 7-8 FT) and five rebounds, three assists.
• The Hawks found their strength from the bench tonight adding 23 of UNE's 13 points and capitalized when needed converting on 17 fastbreak points to the Nor'easters four.

Up Next:
The Hawks will advance to the semi-finals with this win and will take on #1 Johnson & Wales University this upcoming Friday, February 27th in Providence with a start time of 5:30 P.M.

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