Game 13	Hartford (6-7; 19-13, 9-7 AE in 2017-18) vs. NJIT (3-9; 4-26, 2-12 ASUN in 2017-18
Date | Time	Sunday, December 30, 2018 | 2pm
Location | Arena	Newark, NJ | Wellness and Events Center (100 Lock Street)
Live Video	ESPN+ | Michael Ventola (PBP); David Gass (Color)
Live Stats	In-game statistics (free)
All-time series	First meeting
Game Notes	NJIT Notes  (PDF) | Hartford Notes

After a nine-day break, NJIT women's basketball will close out the 2018 calendar, hosting first-time opponent Hartford on Sunday, December 30 at 2pm inside the Wellness and Events Center.

A two-game road streak was snapped on December 21, as Kent State picked up a 57-40 victory at NJIT.

NJIT (3-9) was led by graduate student Tatianna Torres, who recorded her second double-double of the year, combining for 11 points and 14 rebounds. 

Her one steal against Kent State put Torres at 137 career steals, which ties the NJIT Division I record.  The 14 rebounds for Torres were two shy her personal-best mark of 16 vs. St. Joseph's Brooklyn in 2017.

Watch Game Live on ESPN+
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+. Michael Ventola, the voice of the Highlander women, will handle the play-by-play with and color analysis from David Gass.

A simple way to find ESPN+ is on NJIT's official athletics website, www.njithighlanders.com. Near the middle of the home page under the headlines section, an upcoming events calendar lists scheduled NJIT contests. After finding the event, click the camera icon to the left of the event listing. That brings you to an ESPN+ portal where you can access the desired program.

All-Time Series
Sunday will mark the first all-time meeting between Hartford and NJIT.  Hartford will be the second team from the America East in which the Highlanders will face this season.  Vermont defeated NJIT, 71-63, on December 2.

A Look Inside the Highlander Squad
NJIT enters Sunday's game with a 3-9 overall record -- with wins coming against Western Carolina, 79-71, LIU Brooklyn, 72-51, and Colgate, 71-53.

The Highlanders begin a new era under first-year head coach Mike Lane.  Lane comes to NJIT after spending six seasons at Bucknell University as the top assistant coach, where he helped guide the Bison to a program-best 27-6 mark, Patriot League title and conference championship while earning a berth to the NCAA Tournament in 2017.

NJIT's trio of Guarino (14.2ppg), Danielle Tunstall (10.7ppg) and Ellyn Stoll (10.4pgg) are on pace to become the top scoring trio in NJIT's D-I program history.

Guarino's 37 made three-pointers through 12 contests ranks second in the ASUN.  Her 217 career three pointers, is five shy the NJIT all-time record and also ranks 12th in ASUN history, just three shy of breaking into the top 10 in league history with 220 established by LaTorria Matthews of FAU between 1997 and 2001.

Tunstall has made a big jump in her junior season, averaging a career-high 10.7 ppg and 7.8 rpg which ranks fourth in the ASUN.

Stoll, who is averaging 35 minutes per game, ranks first on the team in assists (32) and second in steals (13).  Stoll has dished out at least one assist in 11 of NJIT's 12 games, including season-best five assists against Vermont.

Torres is averaging 7.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg for the Highlanders.  Her 137 career steals ties the NJIT Division I record.  This season Torres has eight steals in 11 games.

Scouting the Hawks from Hartford
Hartford (6-7) snapped a two-game skid, picking up a tight 54-52 victory at Central Connecticut State on Friday evening, behind a career-best, from graduate student Ella Awobajo, who registered her sixth double-digit scoring effort in her last seven games, netting 27 points.

Awobajo's 27 points is the most in single game since Janelle Harrison scored 27 against UMass Lowell on Feb. 12, 2017 for the Hartford women's basketball program.

The Hawks held a three-game win streak from November 30 to December 11 with wins over William & Mary, Bryant and URI.  Hartford forced overtime at #22/#23 Michigan State on December 16, with Michigan State, coming out on top, 74-66 in overtime.

Hartford is led by a trio of double-figure scoring, paced by Lindsey Abed (13.8ppg), Sierra DaCosta (12.8ppg) and Awobajo (10.7ppg).  Abed tops the team in three-pointers made (33), assists (31) and steals (30).

Awobajo is the team leader on the glass, averaging 5.7rpg followed by Jade Young at 4.7rpg.

Kim McNeill enters her third season as head coach at Hartford.  In her second season at the helm, the Hawks posted a 19-13 record marking the program's winningest season since 2012-13.

Preseason America East Coaches' Poll
Coming off an appearance in the America East Championship, the Hartford women's basketball team has been picked to finish second.  Abed was named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team.

Next Up
The ASUN Conference schedule opens the New Year, hosting Kennesaw State on January 5.  Tip-off is slated for 1pm in the Wellness and Events Center as part of a doubleheader with the NJIT men, tipping off at 4pm against the Owls. 

The Highlanders will play their final 15 games in the ASUN.