Nov. 22, 2009 

Box Score

Audio Recap - The River Hawk Report

Sophomore Sha'nay Bushner (Akron, OH) scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the UMass Lowell women's basketball team defeated Bloomfield College, 63-56, Sunday in the second round of the 2009 Valley Cup Classic at the Costello Athletic Center.

With the win, the River Hawks improve to 2-1 overall entering Tuesday night's clash with Southern New Hampshire (5:30). Bloomfield slipped to 0-3 and visits Virginia State Friday, Nov. 27 at 3:00.

UMass Lowell is 10-2 all-time in the six years of the Valley Cup, winning their last eight games.

"We defended and rebounded much better in the second half," said UML Head Coach Kathy O'Neil. "I was happy with our effort in the second half."

In the earlier matchup, Caldwell College stunned Bentley, 72-70 in overtime, behind 30 points from junior G Kirsty Leedham.

Freshman G Brianna Calver (Shelby, OH) chipped in 12 points - all in the second half - as she meshed 9 of 9 free throws and dished four assists. Sophomore G Meghan Kirwan (Melrose, MA) chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds, converting 4 of 7 field goal attempts.

Junior G Robyn Burton (Capitol Heights, MD) led the Deacons with 11 points on 4-8 field goal shooting while sophomore G Vanessa Lamison (Laurel, MD) and junior G Regina Washington (New York, NY) each added 10 points.

UMass Lowell outscored Bloomfield from the free throw line (23-11), off the bench (21-15) and in the paint (30-22).

Bloomfield posted a 30-25 lead at the break, but the River Hawks opened the second half with a 14-2 run to grab a 39-32 lead with 12:30 left to play. Junior G Krissy Little (Concord, NH) led the run with a pair of layups while Kirwan and senior F Jen Valente (Prospect, CT) each had three free throws.

After a jumper by Washington cut the lead to 39-34, the River Hawks countered with another 14-2 tear to post a 53-37 cushion with 5:29 remaining and never looked back. Calver sparked the run with six points, including a four-point play.