Hartford 75, Boston University 56

3/12/2006 4:32 PM

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Danielle Wexler scored 18 points on 3-pointers, leading Hartford to the America East tournament title and an automatic NCAA bid with a 75-56 win Sunday over Boston University.

The top-seeded Hawks (26-3) advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second straight season and third time in five years under coach Jennifer Rizzotti, a former national player of the year at Connecticut.

Erika Messam added 17 points for Hartford and was selected the Most Outstanding Player for the second consecutive year. She averaged 13.7 points in the Hawks' three wins.

Jesyka Burks-Wiley had 17 points and 10 rebounds for third-seeded Boston University (18-12). Rachael Vanderwal added 13 points.

After Danielle Hood missed on Hartford's first possession, the Hawks hit 10 straight shots from the floor - including a trio of 3-pointers by Wexler - to take a 25-11 lead with under 13 minutes remaining. The Hawks shot 62 percent in the first half and led 43-26 at the break.

Boston University, making its fourth straight appearance in the tournament final, pulled to 54-42 on a basket by Katie Meinhardt with 11:58 left. But Messam hit a short bank shot and Wexler capped a 12-4 run with another 3-pointer for a 66-46 lead with 6:34 remaining, and the Terriers never threatened the rest of the way.

Hood chipped in 14 points for the Hawks. Wexler, who was 0-for-6 from behind the arc in the first two games, was 6-for-9 Sunday.

At the final buzzer, the Hartford student section rushed onto the floor to celebrate with the players.