Dec. 11, 2010

Box Score | O'Neil: We grinded it out

Sophomore G Bianca Simmons (Middletown, Conn.) compiled 25 points, 12 rebounds and four assists to lead UMass Lowell over Merrimack, 66-60, Saturday night in a Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball clash at the Tsongas Center.

With the win, UMass Lowell improved to 4-5 overall and 3-3 into the NE-10 and enjoy a 19-day hiatus before hoisting Caldwell College Thursday, Dec. 30 at 5:00.

Merrimack slipped to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in the NE-10 and visit Shippensburg University Wednesday, Dec. 29.

Simmons, who registered 20 points and nine rebounds in the second half alone, grabbed six offensive rebounds and converted all seven free throws while sophomore C Briana Szidat (Pelham, N.H.) came off the bench to pour in 16 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots while shooting 7 for 10 from the field.

Junior F Sha'nay Bushner (Akron, Ohio) scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

"I thought we played tough and we rebounded pretty well," said Head Coach Kathy O'Neil. "We grinded it out. When you're young, you're not really ever sure when you get in a game like that if you're going to be able to grind it out.

"I thought "Z" (Szidat) did a very good job, and I thought she did it in all facets of the game," O'Neil added. "She defended, she rebounded. She was definitely a presence out there. I thought "B" (Simmons) and Z had good chemistry out there."

Junior G Gennifer Roy led the Warriors with 17 points and five rebounds while sophomore F Kelly Schatzlein added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Junior F Taneka Brown chipped in 11 points on 5 of 8 field goal shooting.

UMass Lowell outrebounded Merrimack 51-38 overall and 16-9 on the offensive end. The River Hawks also received a sizeable lift from their bench, led by Szidat and sophomore G Brianna Calver (Shelby, Ohio) (seven points), outscoring that of Merrimack's reserves 29-3.

The advantages made up for UMass Lowell's 24 turnovers, opposed to 15 by the Warriors, making for a 14-5 edge on steals.

The River Hawks converted 7 of 8 free throws in the final 53 seconds - three by Calver and four by Simmons - to keep the Warriors at bay.

UMass Lowell trailed 51-50 with 6:05 left to play, but scored five straight points behind a 3-point shot and a jumper by Simmons to post a 55-51 lead with 5:21 remaining.

Leading 59-56 with 1:10 left, Simmons converted a pair of free throws and UMass Lowell never let the Warriors within four points the rest of the way. UMass Lowell led at the break, 27-24.