Jan. 6, 2009

Box Score

LOWELL - Junior G Rahshala Valentine (Cincinnati, OH) registered 17 points as UMass Lowell defeated Le Moyne College, 62-57, Tuesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball clash at the Costello Athletic Center.

With the victory, the River Hawks improved to 6-6 overall and 3-4 in the NE-10 entering Thursday's game at Saint Rose (5:30). Le Moyne slipped to 7-7 overall and 4-5 in the Conference.

Valentine converted 6 of 10 field goals, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range and 2 of 3 free throw attempts. Junior G Megan Berry (Ipswich, MA) added 16 points and four assists as she shot 6 for 12 from the floor and 4 for 9 from long range.

Junior F Jen Valente (Prospect, CT) chipped in 14 points, hitting 7 of 12 field goal attempts.

Senior F Vanessa Holden (Suffern, NY) led the Dolphins with 14 points and four steals, hitting 4 of 8 field goals while senior G Katie Dunn (Whippany, NJ) added 12 points. Junior C Courtney Coryea (Mooers Forks, NY) chipped in 10 points, five rebounds three assists and three blocked shots.

UMass Lowell shot .520 for the game (26-50), including .556 in the first half (15-27) while Le Moyne shot .345 overall (20-58). Led by Berry, the River Hawk bench outscored that of Le Moyne's, 27-17.

UMass Lowell's advantages negated its 22 turnovers, while Le Moyne committed just 12, enabling for a 20-15 scoring margin off turnovers.

The River Hawks led 56-44 with 5:33 left to play, but the Dolphins used a 13-2 run to close the lead to 58-57 with 45 seconds left. Dunn fueled the run with a pair of treys and a layup.

Valentine, however, hit a jumper, stole Le Moyne's next possession and canned a pair of free throws to seal the win.

In the first half, Le Moyne jumped out to a 14-10 lead, but the River Hawks closed the half with a 27-9 tear to post a 37-23 cushion at the break. Valentine led the surge with 11 points and Berry nine, both hitting three treys apiece.