Strong Second Lifts River Hawks Over Southern New Hampshire, 66-57

In the Second, Simmons Tallies 15 and River Hawks Shoot 58.6%

LOWELL (Nov. 23, 2010) – The UMass Lowell women’s basketball team (1-3, 1-1 NE-10) was on the winning side of a 66-57 decision after a strong showing at Southern New Hampshire (1-2, 0-2 NE-10) on Tuesday evening at the SNHU Fieldhouse.  Bianca Simmons (Middletown, Conn.) led the way with 19 points – 15 in the second half – as the River Hawks came from behind to pick up their first win of the year.
          
“We played much better in the second half,” said Head Coach Kathy O’Neil.  “I think we really stepped up.”
          
Southern New Hampshire jumped to a 9-0 lead to begin the game, but sophomore Brianna Calver (Shelby, Ohio) nailed a three to bring it back within six (13-7) with just under 11 minutes into the game and classmate Brianna Wilson (Lowell, Mass.) netted back-to-back layups to bring it even closer (15-11) with nine minutes remaining in the half.
          
The River Hawks continued to chip away at the SNHU lead, as senior Krissy Little (Concord, N.H.) nailed a three-pointer less a minute later and freshman guard Alexandra Guidi (Derry, N.H.) stole the ball to give Brianna Wilson a chance from the paint, bringing UMass Lowell within one (17-16).
          
SNHU converted a fast break layup at the end of the half to pull away by four to close the first stanza and led the River Hawks 28-24 at the half.
          
UMass Lowell captured a steady lead after they opened the second on a 19-5 run, highlighted by a trio of threes from Simmons. The streak helped bring UMass Lowell up 43-33 and the squad never relinquished its lead.
          
Southern New Hampshire pulled back within four with just over four minutes remaining (53-49), but junior Sha’Nay Bushner (Akron, Ohio) sank a three and sophomore Sara Bennett (Newark, Ohio) followed up with a layup to insulate UMass Lowell’s lead back to nine (58-49).
          
The River Hawks held on through the end of the game, outscoring SNHU 42-29 in the second.  They shot 58.6% from the floor (17-29) in the second half and held the Penmen to just 31.6%.
          
UMass Lowell outscored SNHU 44-32 in the paint and capitalized on its opponent’s 21 turnovers by scoring 18 off SNHU miscues.
          
“Tonight was really a team effort,” O’Neil said.  “We got contributions from everyone – maybe not in the scoring column, but in other ways, too.”
          
Simmons finished the night with 19 points, six boards and seven assists, while Brianna Wilson was not far behind with 14 points and five boards.  Bushner also scored in double-figures, finishing the game with 13 points.
          
On the glass, Bennett led the way with a team-best nine boards, adding a block and six points to the game, as well.  Five of Bennett’s rebounds came on the offensive glass, as the River Hawks outrebounded SNHU 40-36 in the game.  Also contributing to that stat was Whitney Wilson (Lowell, Mass.), who finished the game with eight rebounds.
          
Southern New Hampshire was led by a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) from Julia Houghtaling and 10 points from Michelle DeRoma.
          
The River Hawks will next head to Walsh for a non-conference tilt on Saturday, Nov. 27.  Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m.

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