The University of Hartford Women’s Basketball team fell 61-49 in the “Battle of the Hawks” against the Conference of New England Rival Roger Williams Hawks

Hartford got off to a hot start in the game, taking a 7-2 lead in the first 4 minutes of action, with guard Ella Marchesani scoring the first three pointer of the game. Despite the quick lead for Hartford, Roger Williams went on a 13-4 run to end the quarter, and enter quarter number 2 up 15-11. Hartford center Ava Naszimento took over in between quarters one and two, scoring 8 consecutive points. However, Hartford struggled from the three point line, not making a three pointer after Marchesani’s opening basket for the remainder of the first half. While Hartford kept the game close, Roger Williams went to the free throw line ten times in the second quarter, scoring seven from the charity stripe. Those free throws proved to be the difference, as Roger Williams would take a 29-22 lead into half time.

Free throws were the difference maker throughout the game. Down 10 in the fourth quarter, Hartford sent Roger Williams to the line for 16 free throws, as they finished 21-30 of free throw shooting against Hartford’s 5-7 line. Despite a 14 point performance from Ava Naszimento, Hartford was unable to shrink the lead late as Ella Marchesani and Lauren Sabia both fouled out. RWU’s Elizabeth Dufrane and Chloe Richardson led Roger Williams with 16 points each.

With the loss, Hartford drops to 9-13 overall and 7-8 in conference play, needing at least a win from their final three games to secure a spot in the Conference of New England playoff picture. The Hawks return to the court on Saturday, February 15th against Endicott College for the University of Hartford’s Alumni Game, the game is expected to start at 1:00 PM