#25 Hartford Hawks Grind Out 59-32 Win Over Maine at Frigid Alfond Arena

BOX SCORE
FEBRUARY 9 - TOP 25 RELEASE

Orono, ME – The University of Hartford women's basketball team, which garnered its first ever national ranking (25th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll) on Tuesday, scored its 14th straight victory with a 59-32 road win at Maine on Tuesday night. Hartford improves to 21-3 overall and 12-0 in conference action, and was led by senior Diana Delva who was named the America East Player of the Game.

Delva led all players with 15 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 at the free throw line. AThe forward/center also added nine rebounds a game-high for all players. Joining Delva as the only other Hawk in double figures was Ruthanne Doherty who finished with 10 points on 4-of-8 from the field.

As a team, the Hawks shot 41.7 percent from the field (20-of-48), but struggled from beyond the arc hitting just four of their 15 attempts (26.7 percent). At the line, Hartford missed only six of their 21 attempts for 71.4 percent. The Hawks also won the battle of the boards 41-33 and forced the Black Bears into 21 turnovers, converting those miscues into 29 points.

After the Black Bears took an early 2-1 lead, Hartford began its offensive onslaught, scoring 16 unanswered point to take a 17-2 lead, one they wouldn't relinquish. That run was broken up only by a free throw from Samantha Wheeler. The Hawks then scored back-to-back baskets, a three pointer from Mary Silvia and a jumper from Alex Hall to take its largest lead of the half, 22-3 with 10:57 to play before the break.

The Hawks would match that lead once more before the break on a jump shot from Silvia with 10:22 remaining. The Black Bears would then put together their first run of the game, three-straight layups, two of which came from Wheeler. That run cut the Hawks lead to 24-11.

Hartford extended the lead back to 17 on back-to-back layups from Erica Beverly and Doherty before a Katia Bratishko jump shot cut it back to 15, the final basket of the game. The Hawks took a 32-17 advantage into the locker room.

Hartford shot 48.1 percent (13-of-27) in the first half, led by seven points from Doherty. Following her was Beverly and Jenna Peterson who each had six points, the later on two three pointers. Leading the way for the Black Bears was Wheeler with seven points. Maine struggles from the field in the first half, shooting 26.7 percent (8-of-30).

After the Hawks opened the second half scoring the first two baskets, both layups from Diana Delva, the Black Bears put up a pair of 5-0 runs, broken up by four-straight from the Hawks, to get as close as they would 40-27 with 9:41 to play.

Maine's defense did hold the Hawks without a basket for a seven minute span, however the Hawks free throw shooting and a layup from Delva with 4:56 to play extended the Hawks lead to 21, 48-27. Hartford's 8-0 run was extended to 14-3 broken up by a Tanna Ross three pointer with 4:41 to play in the game, the last basket the Black Bears would score in the game. Maine only other points came at the line, two free throws from Kristin Baker with 2:11 remaining.

Hartford's largest lead of the game came on its final points, two free throws form freshman Nikkia Smith with 25 seconds remaining, giving the Hawks their 59-32 advantage and guaranteeing the victory.

Hartford will not play again until February 18 when they host the Binghamton Bearcats in and America East televised game on CTSN and Time Warner. The Hawks and Bearcats will tip-off at 7:00 p.m.

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