The University of Hartford women’s basketball team has earned the right to open the 2026 Conference of New England (CNE) Women’s Basketball Championship at home, welcoming the University of New England for a first‑round matchup on Wednesday, February 25, at Chase Arena in the Reich Family Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. as the Hawks, the No. 4 seed after an 11–5 run through conference play, host the fifth‑seeded Nor’easters in a rematch of their regular‑season finale.
Riding momentum from a 60–45 road win at UNE that clinched home court in the opening round, Hartford will look to capitalize on its home‑court advantage and the energy of the UHart community at Chase Arena. The CNE postseason features the top six teams in the league, with first‑round winners advancing to the conference semifinals later in the week.
Tickets are $10 for the general public, while UHart students, faculty, and staff receive free admission with a valid University of Hartford ID at the door. Go Hawks!