WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  - The Hartford women's basketball team celebrated their senior night this snowy Saturday afternoon with a 60-50 at the hands of the University of New England. 

Rapid Recap:

• Senior Madison Baird (Wentzville, Mo.) celebrated her senior day with her first-start since January of 2024 after coming back from injury. The Nor'Easters opened this match up with power pulling a quick eight-point run over the Hawks. The Hawks struggled to maintain possession as the Nor'Easters strengthened their lead. Junior Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.) broke their stride dropping a key triple to switch the momentum in the Hawks' direction. Freshman Allie Shenloogian (Park Ridge, N.J.) turned up the intensity of this game. The Hawks applied the pressure and forced the Nor'Easters to make errors. Junior Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) drained two back-to-back lay-ups to pull the Hawks just two points shy of their opponent, 17-15.
• Hartford found their stride in this second quarter, Marchesani was confident on her drives up the lane and put away big triples to maintain close distance on the Nor'Easters. Boards became more important as this game progressed as senior Paige Loughman (Bernardston, Mass.) gathered both offensive and defensive rebounds to keep the Hawks on the attack. As the clock ticked down Shenloogian dropped a silencing three-pointer to close out this tense quarter and bring the teams at their first equalizer of the match 26-26 into halftime.
• Teams traded points this quarter both fighting for the lead. Junior Taryn Blevins (St Louis, Mo.) put in the work with step back jumpers and huge three-pointers to bring the Hawks' crowd to their feet. You could feel the intensity rise in the arena. The Nor'Easters struggled to put away baskets in the paint and beyond the arc increasing team frustrations. Hartford closed out this third quarter with a 13-point electric run not allowing the Nor'Easters to put up any clean shots. The Hawks headed into the break 46-34 with their strongest lead of the day.
• The Nor'Easters used their break to recollect and opened with an eight-point run on the Hawks to establish control. The Hawks struggled to avoid turnovers or unnecessary fouls in transition. With less than 90 seconds on the clock the Hawks trailed by seven points, the Nor'Easters snuck around the Hawks defense to maintain their lead. Nor'Easters were sent to the line as the clock drained down and the Hawks were unable to chase down their lead. The Nor'Easters collected this win with a final score 60-50 over the Hawks.

• Shenloogian led the Hawks in scoring with her 17 points (8-12 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT). She was followed by Sabia who sent home 16 (6-14 FG, 1-7 3PT, 3-3 FT), and Marchesani who had seven (3-10 FG, 1-7 3PT, 0-0 FT). 
• As for UNE, Sydney Jenisch took charge offensively, leading her team with a whopping 21 points (8-14 FG, 3-5 3PT, 2-2 FT). She was followed by Gabby Soter with 10 (4-10 FG, 2-7 3PT, 0-0 FT) and both Grace Boucher and Kaia Anderson with eight a piece.
• The Nor'Easters won the turnover battle 16-13 and took control of the match-up scoring 19 points as compared to eight for Hartford off said turnovers.

Up Next:
The Hawks will remain at home to host Curry College this upcoming Wednesday, February 11th with a tip-off at 5:30 P.M.

For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.