Women's Basketball Aims for Another Title on Saturday

Hartford's Ruthanne Doherty battles inside for position before scoring two of her team-high 13 points in Sunday's semifinal game against Vermont. Photo by Steve McLaughlin.

The University of Hartford women's basketball team cruised to its eighth America East Championship title game with a 64-33 semifinal victory over the Vermont Catamounts on Sunday at SEFCU Arena at the University at Albany. The Hawks advance to face the top-seeded Albany Great Danes in the title game on Saturday, March 16, at 7 p.m. in Albany.

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In Sunday's semifinal game against Vermont, a balanced scoring attack for the Hawks, which saw 11 different players notching points, was led by senior Ruthanne Doherty, who finished with 13 points. The Hawks defense forced the Catamounts into a record-tying 31 turnovers, while limiting them to just eight first half points. The 33 points the Hawks held Vermont to is the least scored in a semifinal contest, while the 17 steals Hartford collected tied for the most in a semifinal game and is the fifth most in a tournament game.

Joining Doherty in leading the Hawks against Vermont was sophomore Shanise Bultron, who chipped nine points, all from beyond the arc, as well as eight from sophomores Amber Bepko and Cherelle Moore.

Overall for the game, Hartford shot 39.3 percent from the field (22-of-56),including a 45.2 percent effort in the opening half (14-of-31). The Hawks made five of their 11 three point attempts and connected on 15-of-22 from the free throw line.

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