Chicago, IL ? The University of Hartford women's basketball team dropped an 80-71 decision to the host Blue Demons in the championship game of the DePaul Invitational on Saturday night. The loss is the first of the season for the Hawks who stand at 3-1 overall, while DePaul improves to 4-1.
The Hawks were led by Lisa Etienne who was named to the All-Tournament team. Etienne finished with 14 points, averaging 14.5 for the two-game tournament. Joining Etienne in double figures was Katie Kelley with 13 and Amanda Weaver who tied her career-high with 12.
After five lead changes in the first five minutes, the Hawks took a 14-11 lead, one they wouldn't relinquish until late in the half. That three point lead was made possible by a three-pointer from Weaver, her ninth point in the first five minutes. The Hawks lead grew to as much as eight points, following back-to-back three's from sophomore's Jackie Smith and Mary Silvia.
After the Hawks put the lead back at six with a Diana Delva (Stamford, CT) layup with 5:08 to play in the Half, the Blue Demons rattled off 13 of the final 17 points of the half to take a three-point lead into the locker room at the break. The Hawks only points in the final five minutes of the half came at the free throw line with Kacey Pratt and Ilicia Mathis going 2-for-2. DePaul's Deirdre Naughton led all scorers in the first half with 17 points.
The Hawks wouldn't regain the lead until an Etienne three pointer with 12:09 to play, after trading baskets for the first seven minutes of the second stanza. The Hawks quickly extended that lead to five with an old fashioned three point play from Kelley.
After a Felicia Chester layup, the Hawks re-extended the lead to six with a second Etienne three off a feed from Smith with 10:21 to play. The Blue Demons then rattled off 14 unanswered points to take an eight point lead, one the Hawks would be unable to battle back from.
Hartford cut the lead down to four with 5:14 to play but back-to-back long range three pointers from Naughton and Sam Quigly kept the lead at eight, 69-61. The Blue Demons then took the only double digit lead of the game on a three and two free throws from Naughton. Despite a pair of late three pointers from MaryLynne Schaefer and Weaver, the Hawks would fall victim to DePaul.
Hartford finished the game shooting 41 percent from the field (25-of-61) with Kelley leading the way at 5-of-7. Both Etienne and Delva finished the game shooting 4-of-8 for Hartford. The Blue Demons finished the game shooting 52 percent from the field (30-of-58) and were led by a season-high of 25 points from Naughton.
Joining Etienne on the All-Tournament team was Dierdre Naughton (DePaul), Sam Quigly (DePaul), Keisha Hampton (DePaul), Chante Black (Duke) and Tenesha Brown (Southern).
The Hawks continue their 10-day road trip with a second match-up against a ranked team in three games when they travel to Columbus, OH for a meeting with the Ohio State Buckeyes on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. The game can be seen live on the Big Ten Network or online at BigTenNetwork.com. Online viewing is free of charge for fans.
