Statistics

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford held off the University of New England for a 64-55 victory in Wednesday night's No. 5/No. 4 matchup in the first round of the 2026 Conference of New England Women's Basketball Championship inside Chase Family Arena.
 
Hartford (15-11) led by as many as 11 during the third quarter, but clung to a 55-53 lead inside the four-minute mark. That's when the Hawks put together a 7-0 run to seal the win and advance to the semifinals, where they'll visit top-seeded Johnson & Wales on Friday, Feb. 27. Western New England defeated Roger Williams in Wednesday's other first-round matchup, sending No. 3 WNEU to No. 2 Endicott.
 
The Nor'easters' 2025-26 season comes to a close with a 12-13 overall record.
 
Ella Marchesani narrowly outpaced Gabby Soter for the game high in the scoring column, pouring in 19 while going 8-for-14 from the field. Soter, who finished with 18, knocked down three triples in addition to her five rebounds, five steals and three assists. Kaia Anderson joined Soter in double figures, contributing 12 points.  
 
Hartford shot nearly 50 percent from the floor (23-for-47), while UNE was slightly worse than 30 percent (20-69). That efficiency, combined with a 41-34 rebounding edge, were enough to compensate for the Hawks' 17 turnovers. The Nor'easters took better care of the ball, with only eight giveaways.
 
Trailing 55-47 with five minutes remaining in the fourth, UNE strung together a much-needed 6-0 run –capped off by Anderson's bucket at the 3:20 mark – to come within one possession. Just inside of two minutes remaining, Taryn Blevins came up with a key basket for the Hawks, which went down as the game's last made field goal. Hartford was 7-for-8 from the charity stripe during the final minute while closing out the postseason triumph.