Albany, N.Y. - Amanda Weaver made the go-ahead three-point field goal to lift Hartford to a 61-56 America East Conference victory over UAlbany on Saturday afternoon at SEFCU Arena at the 14^th Annual Big Purple Growl. The Hawks won their third straight, while the Great Danes dropped their second consecutive league contest.

            UAlbany (12-11, AE 5-5) trailed by seven on four occasions in the second half before mounting a rally.  Cassandra Callaway and Ebone Henry each sank three-pointers to close the gap. Callaway, a senior guard who had 11 points, drew her team even at 53 apiece with a pair of free throws with 3:45 left to play.

             Weaver, who tallied nine points off the bench, drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the arc to break the tie. Capitalizing on a UAlbany turnover, Nikkia Smith made turnaround jumper from left of the lane to put Hartford up by five, 58-53. Smith finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

            Henry, a sophomore guard who led all scorers with 17 points, sliced the margin to 58-56 with a three-pointer from the right wing.  But Smith hit another turnaround jumper in the paint and Mary Silvia split two free throw attempts to keep Hartford in front. A last second UAlbany turnover cost the Great Danes a chance at a rally and sealed the win for the Hawks.

            Hartford (9-14, AE 6-4) took a 24-21 halftime lead to the locker room after trailing by as much as 10 points in the early going. The Great Danes used a zone press to build a 12-2 lead after six minutes of play. Julie Forster had a pair of baskets, before Felicia Johnson made a three-point field goal.  The Hawks ran off a string of eight straight points to reverse a 17-16 deficit.  Ruthanne Doherty's turnaround put her team ahead.  Alyssa Englert and Ilicia Mathis each converted in transition to end the run.

            Alex Hall and Doherty each had 10 points for the Hawks, who moved into sole possession of fourth place in the conference standings.  The Great Danes' Forster totaled 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Henry, who was named UAlbany's America East Player of the Game, added five boards, three steals and two assists. Johnson led all players with a career-high seven assists, chipping in seven points.

Hartford 61, UAlbany 56 (2/5/11 at Albany, N.Y. (SEFCU Arena))

HARTFORD 61

Albany 56