AMERICA EAST RELEASE
JEN RIZZOTTI INTERVIEW
ALBANY, N.Y. – The Hartford women's basketball team was picked to finish third in the nine-team America East Conference in a tally of head coaches released at the annual Basketball Media Day event held at the SEFCU Arena in Albany, N.Y. The Hawks were also represented by senior Ruthanne Doherty who was named to the Preseason All-Conference team.
Reigning conference champion University at Albany was picked to finish first following the 16-game regular season, garnering five of the nine possible first place votes. Boston University, who was second in the poll, earned two votes, while the Hawks also had two first place votes. New Hampshire and Vermont were tied for fourth, followed by UMBC in sixth. Last season, the Retrievers advanced tot he championship game of the tournament before falling to Albany.
Rounding out the poll was Maine in seventh, Binghamton in eighth and Stony Brook in ninth. Hartford, who finished third following the regular season in 2012, was eliminated from Championship contention in the quarterfinals by the Binghamton Bearcats. The loss in the round of eight was the earliest exit from the postseason tournament since the 2004 season.
Doherty was one of six players named to the preseason squad which was highlighted by two-time America East Player of the Year Chantell Alford, a senior guard at Boston University. Joining Doherty and Alford were Morgan Frame from New Hampshire, Mo Moran from Boston University and a pair of Great Danes Julie Forster and Ebone Henry.
The senior forward from Richmond, Va., Doherty returns as the Hawks leading scorer in 2012 averaging 12.8 points in her junior campaign. Following last season, Doherty was named to the America East Second Team All-Conference. Overall, the Hawks return all but one player from 2012 including all five starters. The lone loss, forward Keyokah Mars-Garrick, provided just 13 of the Hawks 1,789 total points in her senior season.
Doherty and the Hawks will open the new season on Friday, November 9 when they welcome the Loyola Greyhounds to the Chase Family Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion for the first of 15 home games in 2012-13. The Hawks and Greyhounds will tip off the season at 7:00 p.m.
