Nov. 22, 2011

Box Score

Junior F Nicole Adach compiled 19 points and 10 rebounds as Saint Michael's College used a late run to subdue UMass Lowell, 69-53, Tuesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball tilt at the Ross Sports Center.

With the loss, UMass Lowell slipped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the NE-10 entering Sunday's home clash with Southern New Hampshire (2:00).

The win was Saint Michael's fourth in its last five games as it improved to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the NE-10.

The loss spoiled a stellar effort by junior C Brianna Wilson (Lowell, Mass.), who scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds (six offensive) while shooting 10 for 16 from the field.

"I definitely think Brianna is capable getting 15-20 every night," said head coach Sarah Behn. "She can definitely be a threat for us every game. We didn't compliment her scoring-wise tonight and that was a problem. But she's playing very well."

Adach converted 7 of 9 field goals and all five free throw attempts while senior G Coreen Hennessy added 14 points and dished seven assists on 5-7 field goal shooting. Sophomore G Sara DeRoy chipped in 10 points off the bench on 5-8 field goal shooting.

Saint Michael's shot .520 from the field (26-50) opposed to a .314 clip by the River Hawks (22-70), who created 20 more field goal attempts. The Purple Knights also outscored UMass Lowell from the free throw line 13-5 to make up for the River Hawks' advantages on turnovers (17 to Saint Michael's 23) and the offensive glass (16-7).

"I think we're still struggling mentally in believing we can win," Behn added. "But I know we can fix these things. In the last two games we've played well for longer spells. We just need to keep getting where we can play both halves."

With the score tied 44-44 with 10:40 left to play, Saint Michael's reeled off 14 straight points - nine by Hennessy - to grab a 58-44 cushion with 5:43 left to play. UMass Lowell shot was off the mark on eight field goal attempts during the run.

The Purple Knights never allowed the River Hawks within 12 points the rest of the way.