Deanna Mayza, a junior guard, was named the America East Player of the Week after logging a pair of clutch performances that led the University of Hartford women’s basketball team to a 2-0 record during opening weekend.
Mayza averaged 19.0 points, 4.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds as the Hawks topped Cornell on Friday and Sacred Heart on Sunday.
A native of Pennsburg, Pa., Mayza led all scorers with 19 points on opening night as the Hawks nipped the Big Red, 53-50, at Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion.
Adding four boards, three dimes and a pair of steals in the victory, Mayza highlighted the night by draining the game winning three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining.
Two days later, Mayza came through in the clutch again for Hartford.
With her team clinging on to a two-point advantage at Sacred Heart, she converted on four-consecutive free throws in the final 15.4 seconds to help the Hawks pull away with the 68-67 victory.
Scoring six points in the last minute, Mayza led the Hawks with 19 points, including a perfect 8-of-8 effort from the free throw line, while handing out a game-best six assists.
Over the weekend, Mayza shot 11-of-26 from the field (42.3%), including 4-of-8 from three (50.0), and finished 12-of-15 from the line (80.0%).
An America East All-Conference Third Team member a season ago, Mayza is no stranger to putting up big numbers.
In 2014-15, she scored in double-figures 17 times and had 21 games with five or more assists.
Even before attending the University of Hartford, Mayza was putting up ridiculous numbers.
She played three years of basketball and soccer at The Hill School and one year of basketball at Upper Perkiomen High School.
She was named 2009-10 Pottstown Mercury Player of the Year and Winter All-Area First Team while at Perkiome.
In just three years she became the all-time leading scorer in basketball with1,222 points and soccer with 67 goals in three years at The Hill School.
Mayza’s accolades don’t stop there though, she won two league championships and two state championships with the Hill School, received All-Area First Team distinction in 2010-11 and Winter All-First Team accolades in 2011-12.
Was named Pottstown Mercury Player of the Year in 2011-12 and was named to Mid-Atlantic Prep League academic team in 2012-13.
Lastly, Mayza played AAU ball for the Philadelphia Rebels.
Mayza and the Hawks have two games on the docket this week.
Hartford will look to build upon its 2-0 start on Thursday morning, Nov. 19, 2015 when it heads to Quinnipiac for an 11 a.m. contest.
Following that tilt, the Hawks return home on Sun, Nov. 22, 2105, to play host to the Lafayette Leopards at 2 p.m.