Box Score (PDF) | Interview

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Asia Mitchell-Owens (Roxbury, Mass.) connected on a jumper from the free throw line with 3.6 seconds left, and the UMass Lowell (4-19, 1-10) women's basketball team held on to defeat the Vermont Catamounts (7-17, 2-9), 68-66, for the squad's first win in America East play this season.

Moments before the big shot, Vermont was able to tie the game at 66-66 with a three-pointer from Hayley Robertson with 11 seconds remaining. After a timeout, Kayla Gibbs (Teaneck, N.J.) had her attempt come up short and the ball bounced around and out to the wide open Mitchell-Owens, who calmly sent a floater through the bottom of the net.

"I'm just really happy for the players, they fought so hard and were able to display a mental toughness that we've been unable to display in our previous close games," said Head Coach Jenerrie Harris. "It really showed late in the fourth to not allow the game to go into overtime and for the girls to come back after Vermont's three. A huge effort by the seniors and a huge basket by Asia, understanding the time situation and having the awareness to make that shot."

Nicole Hayner (Bedford, N.H.) led all scorers with 22 points, and Gibbs chipped in 17 points while Lindsey Doucette added 16. Melissa Frase (Tamworth, N.H.) dished out seven assists, and connected on all four of her free throw attempts. Mitchell-Owens went 2-of-2 from the line, and her only field goal was the difference maker.

The River Hawks entered the fourth quarter with a 49-42 lead, and built up a 56-44 lead, the largest of the game, with 6:34 remaining in regulation. The hosts wouldn't go way as they scored six straight and trailed 56-50 with 4:43 on the clock. Free throws by Gibbs and Frase gave UMass Lowell two separate leads of seven points in the final 3:18, the latter with 2:06 remaining at 61-54.

Vermont went on the defensive and started to foul to slow down the game and entered the last half minute only trailing 64-62. Gibbs hit third and final free throw with 20 clicks left in regulation, making the lead 66-63, setting up Robertson's three for the Catamounts.

Robertson recorded the contest's only double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Kylie Atwood and Sydney Smith chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Both teams started fast and traded baskets throughout the opening frame and headed into the first media timeout tied at 10-10. Gibbs and Hayner combined for the next seven points and the River Hawks opened a 17-10 upper hand, and took a 17-12 advantage into the second quarter.

After Vermont cut the lead to 17-16 with 7:05 remaining in the half, Hayner scored six of 10 points to bring the lead back to 27-18. The Catamounts outscored UMass Lowell, 7-2, over the remaining 4:34 in the first half, and the River Hawks took a 29-25 advantage into the locker rooms.

Hayner and Gibbs controlled the attack for UMass Lowell in the opening 20 minutes combining for 23 points on 11-of-15 shooting. The junior from New Hampshire led all scorers at the half with 12, and Gibbs added 11 points.

The Catamounts hit two three-pointers early in the third, after shooting 0-for-11 in the first half, to knot the score at 33-33 with 6:30 on the clock. Lindsey Doucette quickly regained the lead for the River Hawks just 19 seconds later. Vermont added a third triple to hold a 38-35 advantage, but Hayner responded with UMass Lowell's first three of the night. A transition layup for Vermont's Hayley Robertson had the hosts in front for the first time in the contest.

Doucette and Hayner teamed up to bring the River Hawks back in front, 43-42, with 2:30 left in the frame. UMass Lowell added six more points to head into the fourth holding a 49-42 advantage.

The River Hawks shot 45 percent (27-60) from the field, while Vermont only connect on 24-of-67 field goals (35.8 percent).

After two road games in three nights, UMass Lowell is back in action in the friendly confines of Costello Athletic Center on February 11 against Maine at 7 p.m.