Nov. 27, 2010

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Sophomore F Sarah Bennett (Newark, Ohio), playing in her home state, registered 14 points and six rebounds to lead UMass Lowell over Walsh University, 63-61, Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena.

The win was UMass Lowell's second straight as it improved to 2-3 overall entering Wednesday night's home clash against Bentley (5:30). Walsh, a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) but transitioning to NCAA Division II, suffered its third loss in four games and slipped to 4-3.

Bennett converted 7 of 9 field goals in 27 minutes while sophomore Bianca Simmons (Middletown, Conn.) added 10 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals. Sophomore C Briana Szidat (Pelham, N.H.) chipped in nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks while converting 4 of 5 field goal attempts.

Freshman G Daniella Ciccarone led three players in double digits for Walsh with 15 points and seven rebounds while converting 5 of 6 field goals and 5 of 5 free throws. Junior C Christy Yoder added 11 points and seven rebounds while junior G Bianca Hooten had 10 points.

Led by Bennett and Szidat, the River Hawks outscored Walsh in the paint, 32-18, and despite a 16-15 deficit on offensive rebounds, outscored the Cavaliers, 17-9 on second chances.

The Cavaliers led 42-39 with 12:45 left to play, but UMass Lowell answered with a 17-4 spurt, led by a pair of 3-point shots by freshman G Nyachuol Biliew (Portland, Maine) which started and capped the run, to post a 56-46 cushion with 7:59 left to play.

"Sarah Bennett played with poise and Nash (Biliew) gave us a spark off the bench," said UML Head Coach Kathy O'Neil. "Everyone contributed."

Trailing 56-50 with Walsh answered with 6:55 left, Walsh took a 61-60 lead with 1:41 left to play behind an 11-5 run led by a pair of jumpers from Hooten. Following a pair of timeouts, Simmons was fouled and meshed a pair of free throws with 1:10 left for a 62-61 edge.

The Cavaliers misfired on four straight attempts thereafter. Simmons hit the front end of two free throws with one second left, and Walsh was unable to muster a shot before the horn.