Nov. 30, 2011

Box Score | Video Highlights/Behn Interview

Junior F Brianna Wilson (Lowell, Mass.) scored a career-high 23 points to lead UMass Lowell over Stonehill, 76-72, Wednesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference women’s basketball clash at the Merkert Gymnasium.

The victory snapped a four-game losing skid for the River Hawks, who improved to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the NE-10 entering Saturday’s tilt against Merrimack at the Tsongas Center (2:00).

“This shows us that we can beat anyone,” said head coach Sarah Behn. “We had a solid game plan tonight. We had 10 players in the game and everyone of them played well. I’m really proud of them. When you’re in a losing streak it’s harder and harder to snap out of it the longer it gets.

“We can build off this win,” she added. “Our shot selection was better. We made our free throws. I think this has been coming. We’ve been working hard in defense and the offense it coming along.”

Wilson converted 10 of 19 field goals and 3 of 4 attempts from the free throw line and also added three rebounds, three steals and two assists. Her 23 points eclipsed her previous mark of 21 points, scored Nov. 22 in a 69-53 loss at Saint Michael’s.

“Bri is really tough to guard in the paint,” Behn said. “She just did her job and pushed people in. She spun to the left, she spun to the right and hit some shots on the baseline.”

Senior F Sha’Nay Bushner (Akron, Ohio) chipped in 11 points, nine rebounds and three steals while shooting 5 for 10 from the field. Sophomore G Danielle DePierro (Tewksbury, Mass.) added 10 points.

The win also marked the return of All-Conference junior Bianca Simmons (Middletown, Conn.), who chipped in six points – including a pair of key free throws at the end – two assists and two steals in 16 minutes off the bench.

Sophomore G Mary Louise Dixon led the Skyhawks with 23 points and five rebounds while shooting 8-23 from the floor, 3-4 from 3-point range and 4-5 from the free throw line. Sophomore F Asia Ewing added 14 points and seven rebounds, hitting 6-11 field goal attempts.

UMass Lowell enjoyed its best shooting day of the season, converting at a .500 clip (31-62), including .520 in the first half. Stonehill struggled to a first half clip of .355 (11-31) but improved to .600 (15-25) in the second half.

The River Hawks also forced Stonehill into 23 turnovers (while committing 17) which enabled them to outscore the Skyhawks 31-17 off miscues.

Led by Wilson, UMass Lowell outscored Stonehill in the paint, 46-28.

UMass Lowell led 35-32 shortly into the second half, and used a 16-7 run to post a 51-39 cushion with 11:54 left to play. Wilson and junior G Brianna Calver (Shelby, Ohio) each had two layups to fuel the run.

Trailing 61-51 with 6:56 left, Stonehill scored 10 straight points – led by conventional 3-point plays by Dixon and freshman F Tori Faieta – to pull within one, 61-60, with 5:05 left.

The River Hawks, however, jumped out to a 67-62 lead with 3:42 left and converted 5 of 6 free throws in the final 36 seconds to seal the win.