WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (January 4, 2024) – The Western New England women's basketball team held off the hosting Hawks of the University of Hartford in non-league counting action on Thursday evening, taking down the Hawks by using clutch late free throws to pull away from Hartford by a final score of 60-55. Lilly Hedge led Western New England in the game with 13 points on 6/8 shooting.
Records:
- Western New England: 9-3
- University of Hartford: 6-5
How it Happened:
A quick-moving first quarter would see the Golden Bears surrender the first bucket of the game, though they took their first lead shortly after, when Lindsey Carey knocked down a mid-range jumper to give the blue and gold a 3-2 lead. Hartford would score six straight in the first quarter in the first ever meeting between the two teams to take an early five-point lead at 8-3. Carey would continue her hot shooting, connecting on a three of her own, Western New England's first of the night, to get back within two of a tie. The two teams would not come up with a field goal for over four minutes in the contest, nearly closing out the first half without any points before Emma Novajasky would put home her first two points of the game with five seconds remaining to give Western New England a one-point lead after ten minutes of play.
Hartford's Ella Marchesani would drop a triple to open the second quarter of play as the Hawks would get the ball rolling. Colleen Furlong would connect on a three-ball of her own, as the Golden Bears would retake the lead. A back-and-forth second quarter between the Hawks and Golden Bears saw neither team take a lead larger than two points before the blue and gold would make a run after Emma Kahn would drop a three to give WNE a one-point lead, followed by a made layup by Lilly Hedge to extend Western New England's lead. Emma Novajasky would conclude the second quarter similarly to how she did in the first, dropping two points, this time on free throws, giving WNE a five-point halftime lead at 28-23. Western New England grabbed 12 rebounds in the quarter while sinking five field goals.
Colleen Furlong would drive to the rim and get the Golden Bears their first two points of the second half, while Lilly Hedge would continue to score for the Golden Bears, knocking down a jumper for her eighth point of the night, giving Western New England their biggest lead of the night at seven points, 32-25. Hartford would mount a comeback on the Golden Bears after WNE failed to score a field goal for a six-minute span, though Western New England would come away with a six-point lead after three quarters of play after Lilly Hedge connected on a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Golden Bears a 42-36 lead after three quarters of play. Despite the scoring drought in the frame, WNE went to the free throw line nine times in the quarter to hold off Hartford from making a full comeback.
As they did to open the second quarter, Hartford would knock down a three as Ella Maechesani would drop her 14th point of the game as the hosts came all the way back to tie the game in the early stages of the fourth quarter to even the score at 42. Emma Kahn would not allow the Hawks to take the lead, however, as the junior connected from three to give WNE the lead again. Down the stretch, Hartford would get within two points of a tie before Caitlyn Hunt connected on a jumper to ease Hartford's offense. With 2:22 to play, Hartford's Adrianna McCoy would hit two free throws to even the score at 54. WNE would get the next chance at free throws as Lindsey Carey would connect on both shots with 46 seconds to play to give the Golden Bears the two-point lead. After Hartford and WNE would exchange one-for-two opportunities at the line, Western New England would hold off the Hawks to defeat Hartford for the first time in program history by a final score of 60-55.
Inside the Lines:
- Western New England stepped to the line 33 times in the game, knocking down 19 free throws. Abby Garaban led WNE with six made free throws.
- Lilly Hedge led the Golden Bears in scoring with 13 points on the night, which also included eight rebounds and two assists.
- Emma Kahn connected on four three-point shots to finish with 12 points. two rebounds and a team-high four steals.
- WNE shot a season low 27% from the field, making just 17 field goals.
- Hartford was led by Ella Marchesani, who dropped four threes and 17 total points. The Hawks shot just 29% from the field and made 17 field goals themselves.
- As a team, WNE recorded 12 steals in the game.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England stays on the road and will take on Curry College on Saturday, January 6, at 12:00 pm for CCC action.
