AMERICA EAST RELEASE

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Sophomore guard Amber Bepko secured the Hawks' first America East Player of the Week accolade on Monday after averaging 18.5 points over two games last week. The Guilford, Conn. native is the second Hawk to earn a weekly distinction as Katie Roth was named Rookie of the Week back on November 26.

Bepko led the Hawks in both of their contests last week, finishing with a career-high 21 points in a win over Maine on Wednesday and 16 points in a loss to Albany, both games at the Chase Family Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion. Bepko's 21 points against the Black Bears was the second-straight game she dropped 20-plus points, finishing with an even 20, then a career-best, in a road win at Stony Brook.

Bepko also averaged 3.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 52.4 percent from the floor and 56.3 percent from beyond the arc. Against the Black Bears, Bepko shot 7-of-10, dished out six assists and made a season-high five three-pointers. She then finished 4-of-11 overall against the Great Danes, including 4-of-8 from three point territory. She was also a perfect 4-of-4 at the free throw line while grabbing two rebounds and two steals.

For the season, Bepko currently leads the team with an average of 11.6 points-per-game, increasing that average to 12.8 ppg in the nine league contests she has played in since returning from injury. In conference play, she is shooting 44.6 percent overall (37-of-83) and 41.3 percent from beyond the arc (21-of-51). She is also among the team leaders with 21 assists, 16 steals and five blocks in league action.

Bepko and the Hawks play one game this week as they travel to New Hampshire for a Wednesday night match-up with the Wildcats. Hartford and New Hampshire are scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tip at Lundholm Gymnasium.