Feb. 4, 2012

Final Stats Post Game Interview and Highlights

Senior Sha'nay Bushner (Akron, Ohio) compiled 12 points, 10 rebounds and four steals as UMass Lowell stunned Southern New Hampshire University, 60-48, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball clash at the SNHU Fieldhouse.

The win was UMass Lowell's second in three games as it improved to 8-14 overall and 6-11 in the NE-10 entering Wednesday's home game against Stonehill (5:30).

The victory also puts the River Hawks in a share of 11th place just behind 10th place Saint Michael's (10-11, 7-10), for the final NE-10 Tournament spot. Saint Michael's edged the River Hawks last Tuesday (60-56).

Southern New Hampshire slipped to 17-6 overall and 12-5 in the Conference.

Sophomore G Danielle DePierro (Tewksbury, Mass.) also scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds while junior G Bianca Simmons (Middletown, Conn.) chipped in 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.

The River Hawks also received key efforts from juniors Sarah Bennett (Newark, Ohio), who had seven points, six rebounds and two steals; and Brianna Wilson (Lowell, Mass.), who added six points and five rebounds.

"This was our best defensive performance of the year," said head coach Sarah Behn. "We controlled the tempo and took advantage of SNHU's turnovers and we got great leadership fron Sha'Nay."

Junior F Sloane Sorrell led the Penmen with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

UMass Lowell forced Southern New Hampshire into 29 turnovers while committing only 14. The River Hawks made the most of Southern New Hampshire's mistakes, outscoring them 23-13 off turnovers and compiling 14 steals to SNHU's three.

UMass Lowell also outscored the Penmen from 3-point range, 15-6, led by a pair from junior G Brianna Calver (Shelby, Ohio), who chipped in eight points.

The River Hawks trailed 24-21 shortly into the second half, but scored 12 straight points to post a 33-24 cushion with 15:49 left to play. Bennett capped the run with a conventional 3-point play and a layup.

Down 43-34, the Penmen clawed back within three points (43-40) behind a trey by junior G Michelle DeRoma and a conventional 3-point play by senior G Christine Duffy.

The River Hawks scored eight straight points - six by Bushner - to post a 51-40 lead with 7:42 left to play, from which Southern New Hampshire was unable to recover.

Southern New Hampshire led at the half, 22-21.