Update from France: Hawks Fall in Final International Game

Before returning to the United States to begin classes on Wednesday, the Hawks took the court one last time to play the Toulouse Metrepole Basket team on Sunday afternoon. This game wraps up three games total that the Hawks will have played in Rodez, France, the second international trip for Hartford under head coach Jennifer Rizzotti. Below is a recap of their final game against Toulouse, written by Cedric Quackenbush.

Hartford rallied late but fell short in a 75-66 loss to Toulouse Metrepole Basket on Sunday in the final game of their 2011 European tour in France. Toulouse is a professional team from the second division in France.

The Hawks were led by Ruthanne Doherty who scored a game high 23 points to go with seven rebounds. Freshman Amber Bepko added 17 points, 10 if which came in the first half, to go with four steals and two assists. Overall, the Hawks shot 42% from the field.

Toulouse got off to a fast start, building an 18-7 lead late in the first quarter, but Bepko pulled the Hawks within 4 points heading into the second quarter with a steal and fast break layup followed with a made layup off of a baseline drive in the final possession of the quarter.

At the start of the second quarter, Toulouse again got off to a hot start building the lead back up to double digits, but freshman Shanise Bultron nailed a three and Bepko converted another fast break layup to bring Hartford back within 25-18 midway through the period.

Doherty then scored the next seven Hartford points and ended the first half with a nifty layup and got fouled to make the score 37-31 in favor of Toulouse at the break.

After Toulouse built their lead up to 17, Doherty continued to shine with an array of tough jump shots from the high post that pulled Hartford within 55-43 heading into the final quarter.

Hartford never got within single digits until a late rally forced Toulouse to call a timeout after Bepko scored inside and sophomore Alyssa Englert drove and made an up and under layup.

Also contributing for the Hawks was sophomore Taylor Clark who added six points and three rebounds and Alex Hall who added five points and three rebounds.