Mar. 13, 2006 - Hartford, Boston University
Led by Danielle Wexler, Hartford's offense led to a successful defense of its America East Tournament title.
The senior guard scored 18 points on 3-pointers, leading Hartford to the America East tournament title and an automatic NCAA bid with a 75-56 win Sunday over Boston University.
The top-seeded Hawks (26-3) advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second straight season and third time in five years under coach Jennifer Rizzotti, a former national player of the year at Connecticut.
"We got to here because of our defense," Rizzotti said. "Today we just kept going at them with 3-pointers and going into the post and it was just too much for them. Although our defense was solid again, this was definitely an offensive day."
Erika Messam added 17 points for Hartford and was selected the Most Outstanding Player for the second consecutive year. She averaged 13.7 points in the Hawks' three wins.
"She willed us not just to win, but to play like this," Rizzotti said. "Erika has meant everything to this team all weekend and all season long."
Jesyka Burks-Wiley had 17 points and 10 rebounds for third-seeded Boston University (18-12). Rachael Vanderwal added 13 points.
After Danielle Hood missed on Hartford's first possession, the Hawks hit 10 straight shots from the floor _ including a trio of 3-pointers by Wexler _ to take a 25-11 lead with under 13 minutes remaining. The Hawks shot 62 percent in the first half and led 43-26 at the break.
"We came out with a game plan that they would have to beat us from the outside," Boston University coach Kelly Greenberg said. "They hit a lot of threes and that opened it up for them. I felt (Wexler) was a better shooter last year, more consistent. They took advantage of our game plan."
Boston University, making its fourth straight appearance in the tournament final, pulled to 54-42 on a basket by Katie Meinhardt with 11:58 left. But Messam hit a short bank shot and Wexler capped a 12-4 run with another 3-pointer for a 66-46 lead with 6:34 remaining, and the Terriers never threatened the rest of the way.
Hood chipped in 14 points for the Hawks. Wexler, who was 0-for-6 from behind the arc in the first two games, was 6-for-9 Sunday.
"It was our final game on our home court and there's nothing better than winning a championship," Wexler said.
The student section agreed.
At the final buzzer, the fans rushed onto the floor to celebrate with the players.
"Winning a championship never gets old and it's something I never take for granted," said Rizzotti, a member of UConn's 1995 NCAA unbeaten title team.
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