the Informer

The Hartford women’s basketball team defeated Stony Brook, 65-43, Sunday afternoon at Chase Family Arena in America East semifinal action and will play Vermont in the conference championship game next Saturday at home. However, the win may have be a costly one.

Hartford senior forward Erica Beverly injured her right knee with three minutes remaining in the game, falling to the floor and yelling in pain as trainers rushed to her aid. Beverly, the America East Defensive Player of the Year, left the court without putting any weight on her knee, the same knee she tore her sophomore season.

“We don’t know anything until she gets checked out,” Hartford coach Jen Rizzotti said. “She’ll have an MRI tomorrow.”

Rizzotti was visibly upset about the injury, although she said after the game she didn’t see the play.

While Beverly’s injury is clearly an important issue moving forward, the Hawks bench carried the team throughout the win over Stony Brook. Hartford’s reserves outscored the Seawolves bench 44-0, including 17 points from Mary Silvia and 13 from Daphne Elliot.

“I thought our bench was huge tonight,” Rizzotti added.

Stony Brook’s Kristen Jeter cut the lead to eight with 5:33 remaining but the Hawks scored 14 consecutive points down the stretch, including some clutch free throws to advance to the championship game.