Hartford Women’s Basketball Narrowly Defeated by Bowdoin College

The Hartford women’s basketball team ran into a tough test against sixth-ranked Bowdoin College on Tuesday night. This matchup marked their last game before the holiday break.

The Hawks fought hard but came up short, losing 62-48. There were flashes of promise and grit from Hartford, but Bowdoin’s strength and composure stood out.

Now sitting at 3-6, the Hawks head into the holiday break hoping to regroup. They’ve got some things to figure out, for sure.

Game Recap: A Tale of Two Halves

Both teams started out slow, with Hartford jumping to a 4-0 lead in the first three minutes. Bowdoin answered right back, rattling off eight straight points and finishing the first quarter up 13-11.

In the second quarter, Bowdoin stretched their lead to 19-12. Junior Ava Naszimento kept Hartford close with a classic three-point play.

First Half Struggles

Hartford put together a spirited 9-0 run, mostly thanks to Junior Lauren Sabia dropping eight points. Still, Bowdoin held on and took a six-point lead into halftime.

The first half felt like a tug-of-war, with neither side really pulling away. Bowdoin just seemed to have an answer every time Hartford made a push.

Second Half Dominance by Bowdoin

Bowdoin opened the second half with a 10-0 run, pushing their lead to 42-26. Hartford tried to hang in, with Junior Ella Marchesani getting six points as the Hawks ended the third quarter down by 15.

There was a quick spark in the fourth, with Marchesani and Sabia draining some clutch threes. Still, Hartford couldn’t close the gap and dropped the game 62-48.

Key Performances

Even in the loss, a few Hartford players really stood out. Junior Lauren Sabia led the way off the bench, dropping a season-high 15 points on 6-13 shooting, including 3-7 from deep.

She also grabbed five boards and picked up two steals. Junior Ava Naszimento matched her 15 points, going 3-11 from the field and knocking down 9 of 12 free throws, plus snagging nine rebounds.

Junior Ella Marchesani chipped in 12 points, shooting 4-9 overall and 2-3 from three, along with six rebounds. Not a bad showing from the core group.

Bowdoin’s Standout Players

On the Bowdoin side, Carly Davey led all scorers with 19 points, making 7 of 8 shots and hitting all five of her threes. Grace Kinum made a big impact too, putting up 14 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and handing out five assists.

Bowdoin’s knack for fast breaks and points in the paint really made the difference. You could just see them capitalize on every opening.

Statistical Highlights

Some stats really tell the story here. Bowdoin outscored Hartford 19-6 on fast breaks, and they held a 28-18 edge in points in the paint.

That ability to run the floor and control the inside just made it tough for Hartford to claw their way back.

Fast Break Points

• Bowdoin: 19
• Hartford: 6

Points in the Paint

• Bowdoin: 28
• Hartford: 18

Looking Ahead: Post-Holiday Break

The holiday break comes at a good time for Hartford. With a 3-6 record, the Hawks have shown flashes but need more consistency.

This break gives them a chance to rest, heal up, and maybe reset their mindset. Who knows what the new year will bring?

Next Game

Hartford returns to action on December 29th, hoping to bounce back and start the new year strong. For updates, follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.