On the Cover...

from Hartford Women's Basketball Digital Game Program 2/16 vs. Merrimack

Number 2

Position G

HEIGHT 5-7 GR.

HAWKS TIDBIT: Barnes has been a consistent defensive presence off the bench for the Hawks this season, posting career-highs of 11 points, nine rebounds and two assists on the year.

Hartford

(2-22) THE MATCHUP vs.

Hartford and Merrimack will battle on the hardwood for the second time in program history. In games played against NEC opponents, Hartford holds a 4021 overall record.

LAST MEETING

(10-14,

Breakdown Merrimack Warrios

All-Time Series .................... Merrimack leads, 1-0 At Hartford ......................................................... N/A At Merrimack ........................ Merrimack leads, 1-0 At Neutral Venue ............................................... N/A Current Streak Merrimack, one game Last Meeting...........Merrimack, 66-79, (1/21/23)

TODAY’S MATCH

The Hartford women’s basketball team is set to close out its home slate, welcoming Merrimack to Chase Family Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16. Tipoff between the Hawks and Warriors is set for 5 p.m.

Scouting The Opponent

The Warriors enter Thursday’s contest with an overall record of 10-14 and 7-5 in conference play. Merrimack currently rides a five-game winning streak into Thursday. Marissa Hamilton leads her squad in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game which is good for top-five in the NEC. Jayme DeCesare and Kaylee Thomas provide extra scoring threats, each averaging 10.7 and 10.0 ppg, respectively. Amaya Staton leads the frontcourt, averaging a team-leading 5.5 rebounds, 8.5 points, and 1.0 block per game. DeCesare and Diamond Christian are the Warrriors’ main distributors, dishing out 3.0 and 2.6 assists between the two.

Last Time Out

The Hawks earned their second victory of the season and first win at home, downing Villa Maria 84-31 on Sunday afternoon. Sophomore Nayeli Dowding led the game in scoring, tying her career-high mark with 15 points. Sophomore Ta’Nya Outten also tied her career-high in scoring, finishing with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field. Freshman Tatum Forbes filled up the stat sheet with eight points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals. Freshman Elena Houghton notched her 100th career points, finishing with eight total. Freshman Paige Loughman and Abigail Cherry each recorded career-highs in scoring, finishing with six and five, respectively. Junior Lanae Johnson-Kleinpeter dished out a career-high five assists. Hartford set a new season-high with 26 assists, just two off from the single-game program record that was set back on Feb. 17, 2018 against Vermont. The Hawks dominated the boards, outrebounding the Vikings 45-32. Hartford’s 84 points were the most for the Hawks in a winning effort since defeating NJIT 92-47 back on Feb. 6, 2019.

Lasting Impact

After joining the Hawks this season, graduate student Jasmine Barnes has already made a lasting impact on her younger teammates. Appearing in 24 games and making seven starts, the Plano, Texas native has recorded career-highs of 11 points and nine rebounds on the season.

Next On Tap

Hartford wraps up its regular season with a two-game weekend set against Chicago State on Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26. Tipoff between the Hawks and Cougars on both days is set for 1 p.m.