Bowling Green, OH - The University of Hartford women's basketball team dropped a 56-52 decision to the Bowling Green Falcons on the road at Anderson Arena in Bowling Green, OH. Hartford was led by juniors Diana Delva and Erica Beverly who finished with 15 and 13 points, respectively. The Hawks fall to 5-6 on the season, while the Falcons extend their win streak to eight games and stand at 8-2 overall.
Delva's 15 points led all scorers in the game. She finished shooting 5-of-11 from the field and 5-of-7 at the free throw line. Beverly completed her team-leading fourth double double of the season with her 13 points combined with 11 rebounds. Joining them to round out the leading scorers was senior Lisa Etienne who finished with 10 points. Beverly also finished the game with a career-high six blocks, to go along with three assists and two steals. Beverly's six blocks marks the first time a Hartford player has blocked five or more shots since Kenitra Johnson in January of 2000.
Hartford finished the game shooting 31 percent from the floor, 18-of-59, with a 40 percent (12-of-30) showing in the second stanza. Hartford led the battle of the boards with a 42-40 advantage with Beverly's 11 tied for the game high with the Falcons' Niki McCoy. Bowling Green finished the game shooting 29 free throws, compared to 18 for Hartford, connecting on 19 of those freebies.
“Today's game was another tough road test for us against a great program,” said head coach Jennifer Rizzotti. “We feel that we learned a lot about ourselves over the past few weeks and we will use it to better prepare ourselves to open conference play after the New Year.”
Hartford pulled within three points with 1:54 remaining in the game before back-to-back foul calls led to four free throws, two from Lauren Prochaska and two from Tracy Pontius. Following those two baskets the Hawks scored on a layup from Delva but couldn't convert a late Bowling Green turnovers into points.
The Hawks return to action on New Year's Eve when they play at the XL Center in Hartford, CT against the top-ranked Connecticut Huskies. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m.
