For Immediate Release: January 24, 2007
Contact: Joshua J. Darling (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Bearcats fall to defending conference champion Hartford 71-64 in women's basketball
BU's Lindgren nets game-high 20 points; goes 7-of-7 from field with four three-pointers

Box Score

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.- Junior forward Danielle Hood and sophomore guard Lisa Etienne combined for 37 points on 15-of-24 shooting, leading Hartford (12-7, 5-1 AE) to a 71-64 victory over Binghamton (6-13, 2-4 AE) in an America East Conference women's basketball game on Wednesday evening at the Chase Family Arena. Hartford is now 35-2 in games played on their home court over the past three seasons.

Binghamton opened the game by jumping out to a 16-7 lead over the defending conference champions as they hit on 5-of-9 shots from the field, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, through the first 5:31 of the contest. Over the next 10:41 however, Hartford clawed its way back into the game and outscored the Bearcats 21-11 to reclaim the lead, 29-28, for the first time since they led 2-0 to start the game. A trade of baskets over the next minute made the score 30-29 Hawks before senior guard Rebecka Lindgren (Oskarshamn, Sweden) connected on a long jumper at the buzzer to give BU a 31-30 halftime advantage.

Following a quick exchange of three-pointers to start the second half the lead changed hands nine consecutive times as Hartford regained the lead 44-43 on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Lisa Etienne at the 14:48 mark. That basket was the start of a decisive 17-4 Hawks run that would extend their lead to 58-47 with 7:01 to play and put the game out of reach. From there, Hartford would not allow Binghamton any closer than seven points the rest of the way as they wrapped up the 71-64 victory.

"We had the lead early, but Hartford is going to make a run at you on their home floor" said Binghamton head coach Rich Conover. "Tonight, we just couldn't withstand that run. They're a tough team, especially when your going up against a potential conference player-of-the-year candidate in Danielle Hood. For us, Lindgren played outstanding and shot the ball very well for us tonight".

Hood led three Hawks in double-figures with her game-high tying 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Etienne added 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting and a game-high seven rebounds while senior guard Ikea Witt finished with 10 points on the night to round out Hartford's double-digit performers.

For Binghamton, Lindgren posted her second 20-point game of the season, connecting on all seven shots from the field, including 4-of-4 from beyond the arc, while junior forward Laine Kurpniece (Riga, Lativa) contributed 13 points as the only other double-figure scorer for the Bearcats. Junior forward Brianna Thompson (Chehalis, Wash.) finished with nine points on the night while junior guard Laura Sario (Espoo, Finland) finished with seven points, snapping her string of ten consecutive double-digit performances.

Binghamton returns home this Saturday when they host Boston University in a 1 p.m. contest at the Events Center.

Game Notes: Rebecka Lindgren was named Player of the Game for Binghamton while Danielle Hood collected the honor for Hartford ...Binghamton connected on its first five three-point attempts of the contest.