Hartford Gets Nationally Ranked at 25 in ESPN Coaches Poll

The University of Hartford women’s basketball scored enough votes for its first top-25 ranking in school history on Tuesday. The Hawks, who have been receiving votes all season in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, earned 49 votes in the 13th week of the poll, enough to pick up the 25th spot in the poll, one of two teams jumping from unranked to ranked.

The long-awaiting ranking comes as the result of a 21-3 record this year including a 12-0 conference record. Wins include victories over nationally ranked Louisville and an marquis win over Temple. The only losses came to two nationally ranked opponents (UConn and Marist), and a disappointing early-season road loss to Providence.

The string of victories has been marked by impact contributions from 11 players who are regularly rotated through the lineup every night. Particularly impressive this year have been the contributions of a stellar freshman class, which is averaging nearly 20 points per game.

Mary has helped the team to a couple of key wins including a 20 point return performance to stun Temple, and a 16 point second-half effort to come back and beat Binghamton on the road. She has had 7 double-digit games this year is averaging 6.5 points per game off the bench.

In addition to her team contributions, Mary has been getting some air-time on CPTV with several video segments which can be found at the Hawks website under Rizzotti Coaches Show.

Next up is Binghamton at Hartford on Thursday Feb 18, followed by BU, Albany and the season finale vs. Vermont at Hartford. Hartford needs to win 2 of those 4 games to clinch a tie for the conference championship, and 3 games to clinch it outright.

University of Hartford Athletics - Second Half Surge Lifts Hawks to 65-35 Win Over New Hampshire

University of Hartford Athletics - Second Half Surge Lifts Hawks to 65-35 Win Over New Hampshire

West Hartford, CT – Holding the New Hampshire Wildcats to just eight points in the first 15:13 of the second half led the University of Hartford women’s basketball team to a 65-35 victory at Chase Arena on Saturday.

With the victory the Hawks extend their unbeaten streak to 13 games and remain undefeated in conference play 10-0. The win also pushes the Hawks over the 20-win mark for the sixth-straight season, currently 20-3 overall.

Hartford was led by its senior forward/center Diana Delva, the Nestle Purina ONE America East Player of the Game, who finished with her team leading seventh double double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. The nation’s second best shooter finished the game 6-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 at the free throw line. Delva’s increases her conference leading field goal percentage to 67.0 percent (132-of-197).

Joining Delva as the only other player in double figures was Mary Silvia who finished with 14 points for her sixth game in double figures this season. Silvia finished the game shooting 6-of-10 from the field including a three pointer, with 10 of her points coming in the second half.