Nov. 27, 2011

Box Score | Video Highlights/Behn Interview

Sophomore F Victoria Wiseman scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds as Southern New Hampshire University defeated UMass Lowell, 58-40, Sunday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball clash at the Costello Athletic Center.

The loss was the fourth straight for UMass Lowell, which slipped to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the NE-10 entering Wednesday's clash at Stonehill (5:30).

Southern New Hampshire, off to its best start since the 988-89 season, improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Conference and hosts Franklin Pierce Wednesday at 5:30.

Senior F Sha'nay Bushner (Akron, Ohio) led UMass Lowell with 10 points and six rebounds despite drawing her fourth foul with 11:40 left to play while junior F Brianna Wilson (Lowell, Mass.) chipped in eight points.

"It was a tough shooting night, at the foul line and with the layups," said head coach Sarah Behn. "We had layups and we got to the foul line. We just didn't score.

"I was pleased with our defensive effort," she added. "Some of our presses worked well and we trapped really hard. We trapped and we worked hard. Our effort was good and we had better energy. We had better mental composure today than we did at Saint Michael's."

Southern New Hampshire enjoyed a 15-8 advantage from the free throw line as both teams struggled from the line - the Penmen 15 for 23 and UMass Lowell 8-22.

Southern New Hampshire ended the first half with a 14-5 run to post a 32-22 lead at the break. Senior G Christine Duffy and junior G Michelle DeRoma each scored five points in the run.

The Penmen continued the surge in the second half, opening with a 13-3 spurt to grab a 43-25 cushion with 9:26 left to play. Freshman G Brooke Springfield opened the half with a trey and senior G Megan Spanarkel added a jumper and two free throws.

UMass Lowell closed the deficit to 12 points (50-38) on a 3-point shot by junior G Erika Sjoberg (Stockholm, Sweden) with 2:05 remaining, but the Penmen closed the game with an 8-2 spurt behind four points from Wiseman.

"I know we can connect on our layups, and I know we can get our free throw percentage up to 70," Behn said. "I'm not sure what happened today."