Box Score

Franklin Pierce University shot nearly 70 percent from the field and upheld a first half lead to defeat UMass Lowell, 99-76, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball clash at the FPU Fieldhouse.

With the loss, UMass Lowell slipped to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the NE-10 to cap the fall semester. The River Hawks travel to Miami, Fla. For a Dec. 30 game at Barry University and a Jan. 2 clash at Palm Beat Atlantic University.

Franklin Pierce improved to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the Conference.

Franklin Pierce shot a collective .688 from the field (33-48), including .667 from 3-point range (12-18) while UMass Lowell struggled to a .313 clip overall and .364 from 3-point range (12-33).

Senior G Bianca Simmons (Middletown, Conn.) led UMass Lowell with 25 points and five assists while shooting 9 for 17 from the field and 5-5 from the free throw line. Freshman G Jennifer Gonsalves (Harwich, Mass.) added 14 points and four steals off the bench.

Freshman F Kara Charette led Franklin Pierce with 20 points and five rebounds as she meshed 7 of 9 field goal attempts and 6-7 free throws while senior F Amanda Saab and junior G Brittany Martelle each added 19 points.

Saab shot 4-5 from the field and 9-12 from 3-point range and dished out nine assists while Martelle hit 7 of 9 field goal attempts, including 5-7 from 3-point range, in 19 minutes.

Junior G Kate McDonald chipped in 13 points, seven assists and four rebounds while shooting 4-7 from the floor.

Franklin Pierce had its way in the paint, outscoring the River Hawks 36-18, and utilized its transition game to the tune of 11-0. The Ravens also outscored the River Hawks from the free throw line 21-14.

Franklin Pierce jumped out to a 12-2 lead to open the game and never looked back en route to a 48-31 cushion at the break. The Ravens connected on 17 of 25 field goal attempts while UMass Lowell shot 11-38.

Minutes into the second half, Franklin Pierce led 58-38 and used a 14-3 spurt to grab a 72-41 lead with 14:02 left to play. McDonald meshed a pair of 3-point shots to spur the run.