HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Hartford has made a habit of beating ranked teams the last few seasons.
Erica Beverly had 14 points and 11 rebounds to help Hartford upset No. 23 Louisville 62-50 on Tuesday night. It was the fifth straight season that the Hawks (2-0) have knocked off a top 25 opponent.
"Last year Duke was the highlight of our season and it was our third game," Hartford coach Jen Rizzotti said. "We're determined to not let the second game of the year, no matter who it's against, to be the highlight of our year this season."
Ilicia Mathis and Diana Delva also scored 14 points for the Hawks.
Louisville, which reached the national championship game last season, was sloppy throughout. The Cardinals had 25 turnovers and made just one 3-pointer in 10 tries.
"We might have caught them in a tough time for them, in a transition year, but it's still a great win for our program over a ranked program," Rizzotti said. "Not necessarily because we played great or that they played great but their team is going to be a lot harder at the end of the year than they are now.
"Louisville's going to be a team in the top echelon of women's basketball while (coach Jeff Walz) is there."
Hartford went on an 11-0 run early in the contest to take a 13-4 lead and Louisville got no closer than seven points the rest of the game. Hartford was up 32-20 at the half and extended it to 41-24 6 minutes into the second half on a short jumper by Beverly.
Louisville scored the next six points, but Mathis followed with a 3-pointer and Harford held a double-digit lead the rest of the game.
"Hartford played hard," Louisville coach Jeff Walz said. "I wrote down three words on the bulletin board after the game. Effort, heart, toughness and Hartford whipped us in all three areas and that's what we used to be about."
Becky Burke led Louisville with 15 points.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
