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LOWELL, Mass. – Sophomore forward Kayla Gibbs (Teaneck, N.J.) recorded her first career double-double with a career-high 23 points and snagged 10 rebounds, but the UMass Lowell (0-3) women's basketball team fell in its home opener, 67-57, to Columbia University (3-0), Friday night at the Costello Athletic Center.

"It was a tough game, but the girls didn't lose because of a lack of effort, it just came down to execution here and there," said Head Coach Jenerrie Harris. "We took 13 more shots than them and lost by 10, we had the looks we wanted but we have to learn how to put the ball in the hole. The good news is that it's only game three and we're continuing to get better."

Gibbs netted the first eight points for the River Hawks, as they built up an 8-4 lead in the first 4:45 of the opening quarter.

The Lions responded with a 16-4 run to take a 20-11 lead into the second quarter. Columbia shot 53.8 percent from the field to build the advantage.

UMass Lowell cut into the lead at 23-15 with a Nicole Riddick (Albany, N.Y.) layup just over three minutes into the quarter. The Lions held the River Hawk offense at bay for most of the frame, but an Asia Mitchell-Owens three-pointer with two seconds left cut the deficit to 38-28, and gave UMass Lowell momentum into the intermission.

The third quarter was highlighted by the hot hand of Gibbs. The River Hawks' leading scorer this season, eclipsed her previous career-high of 14 points with a basket 5:56 on the clock. She scored her 19th point of the night converting a traditional three-point play to cut the deficit to 48-41 with 3:53 remaining in the third. The score capped off 13-8 run to begin the fourth and marked the closest UMass Lowell had been since 1:14 into the second quarter.

The River Hawks cut the deficit to six points, six different times in the fourth quarter but could not get any closer. Gibbs capped off her night with a layup with 29 seconds remaining to trail 63-57, going 11-of-16 on the night.

Nicole Hayner (Bedford, N.H.) added 11 points, and Lindsey Doucette (Hopkinton, Mass.) grabbed 12 rebounds.

The Lions were led by Camille Zimmerman (17 points), Emily Surloff (14 points), and Tori Oliver's 15 points.

UMass Lowell is back in action at Costello on November 24 to take on Bryant at 6 p.m. The game is part of doubleheader with the men's basketball team as they host Wheelock at 4 p.m.