Women's Basketball Advances To WNIT Semis With Pair of Wins

The University of Hartford women's basketball team won't need to wait for St. Patrick's Day to get a true feel for the Irish.

The Hawks will travel to Notre Dame for a semifinal game in the preseason WNIT on Thursday after a pair of home victories over the weekend to tip off the season.

On Friday night, after a new banner was hung at Chase Arena in Reich Family Pavilion to celebrate last season's conference crown and NCAA Tournament appearance, the Hawks downed Manhattan, 64-45.

Less than 48 hours later, Jen Rizzotti's crew was back on its home floor, and the Hawks downed Long Island University, 54-45.

Junior Ruthanne Doherty followed a 19-point performance on Friday night with an 18-point, 12-rebound effort in Sunday's contest.

The Women’s National Invitation Tournament is an annual invitation-only tournament involving 16 of the nation’s top women’s Division I basketball teams. A team may participate no more than once in a four-year period. Additionally, only one institution per conference may play in the tournament in the same year.

Teams are selected for the Preseason WNIT based on their program’s expected success for that season, their relevant past, their conference standings, fan base, and geographical location. The teams that compete well in the Preseason WNIT typically go on to finish very strong and advance to postseason play.

Complete game stories on the two wins

More on the Preseason WNIT