Box Score (PDF) | Interview

HACKENSACK, N.J. – It was a tale of two halves for the UMass Lowell (3-7) women's basketball team, as the River Hawks erased a 16-point third quarter deficit to defeat the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (2-7), 78-67, on Friday evening. With the victory, UMass Lowell has now won consecutive games for the first time this season.

"To come out of this game on the road on top is a huge accomplishment for this group," said Head Coach Jenerrie Harris. "We've had a couple of games where we wanted to compete on the road and we did here and there, but tonight they did a great job making decisions at the end of the game and protecting the ball that was a huge turnaround from the first half. I'm really proud of the maturity they showed out there today, especially from our seniors, we wouldn't have been able to do this without them.

With 9:36 remaining in the third quarter the Knights opened up a 45-29 lead, but instead of folding the River Hawks outscored the hosts 27-10 over the next 11 minutes to take a 56-55 lead with 8:55 left in regulation.

UMass Lowell opened the third quarter on a 9-4 spurt to climb within 47-38, but the Knights immediately regained their double-digit lead with a layup from Kiana Brown.

The River Hawks outscored Fairleigh Dickinson 23-12 in the third, led Lindsey Doucette (Hopkinton, Mass.) scoring nine of her 16 points in the frame. Melissa Frase (Tamworth, N.H.) added eight points, hitting two three-pointers.

UMass Lowell used a 14-6 run over the final 6:09 of the quarter to head into the final period trailing 55-52. Mitchell-Owens hit two free throws with 20 seconds left to get within 53-52, but a buzzer beater after a series of offensive rebounds for FDU resulted in the three-point lead.

In front of friends and family, Kayla Gibbs (Teaneck, N.J.) scored the opening four points of the fourth, including the two free throws with 8:56 left in regulation to give UMass Lowell its first lead of the contest at 56-55.

The visitors used a 9-0 run to take a 63-55 advantage before the Knights were able to score their first points of the fourth with 5:05 on the clock. FDU did not register its first field goal of the final period until the final 4:33, cutting the River Hawks lead to 66-59.

Doucette recorded her fourth double-double of the season, finishing the game with 16 points and 15 rebounds, while adding a game-high five assists. Gibbs scored 16 points, as well, and snagged eight rebounds with a game-high three blocks. Frase and Mitchell-Owens chipped in 15 points each. Oda Shackelford (Edinburgh, Ind.) ended her debut with eight points and five rebounds in 17 minutes.

Trailing 21-8 late in the first quarter, Asia Mitchell-Owens (Roxbury, Mass.) and Melissa Frase (Tamworth, N.H.) hit back-to-back three-pointers to send the River Hawks into the second within 21-14.

Shackelford scored her first two career basket to begin the second quarter to bring UMass Lowell within 21-18. The River Hawks used a 10-0 run crossing over the two periods to trim the deficit, spanning 2:35 of game time.

After the Knights took a 30-24 lead, Katherine Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind.) buried a three to get the visitors back within three. Fairleigh Dickinson then used a 13-2 run over the last 3:59 to take a 43-29 lead into halftime. Kelsey Cruz and Erika Livermore led the way for the Knights with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Shackelford took charge for the River Hawks, scoring six points and grabbing five rebounds in her first half of action. Doucette also snagged five boards in the opening 20 minutes.

Livermore recorded a double-double to lead the Knights with a game-high 19 points, and 15 rebounds. Cruz added 17 points, while Brown contributed with 11. Brianna Thomas grabbed 10 rebounds and scored eight points.

UMass Lowell outscored the Knights 49-24 in the second half, shooting 48.4 percent (15-31) in the final 20 minutes. After shooting 40 percent in the first half, FDU went 9-of-31 (29%) in the second. The hosts went 0-for-6 from three in the second half, finishing the game 3-of-15 (20%).

The River Hawks continue their road swing with a Sunday matinee matchup against ACC foe Boston College, on December 20 at 1 p.m.