DURHAM, N.H. – Despite holding a lead for the first 25 minutes of the contest, the UMass Lowell women's basketball team dropped a 64-45 decision at New Hampshire in America East action on Monday afternoon.
 
The Wildcats (12-5, 3-1) outscored the River Hawks (3-14, 0-4), 44-20, in the second half to pull away for the victory. New Hampshire did not hold a lead until the 5:18 mark of the third quarter.
 
Freshmen Paula Lopez (Leon, Spain) and Linda Svenne (Riga, Lativa), along with junior Oda Shackelford (Edinburgh, Ind.)  led UMass Lowell with 10 points apiece.
 
UNH had a trio of players in double digits, led by Carlie Pogue's 15 points. Olivia Healy and Brittani Lai added 13 and 11, respectively. Lai also dished out nine helpers in the effort.
 
Behind a three-pointer to open the game from Svenne and a pair of layups from Gibbs, the River Hawks jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first five and a half minutes. UMass Lowell continued the momentum, and went on a 7-0 run to take a 14-4 lead with 2:50 left to play.
 
Paula Lopez (Leon, Spain) connected on a three to give the visitors a 17-6 lead a minute later, as UMass Lowell led by nine points to begin the second. The River Hawks grabbed seven offensive rebounds to help support the advantage.
 
New Hampshire book ended the quarters with a 6-0 spurt to pull within 17-12, but Svenne was able to end the run with her first basket since the opening points. The Wildcats rode a 8-3 advantage over a five minute span, including six straight points, to knot up the contest at 22-22 with 1:16 to play in the half.
 
Just 16 seconds later, Megan Hendrick (Alexandria, Va.) connected on the half's final points to give the guests a 25-22 lead heading into the intermission.
 
With the first five points of the second half, the River Hawks built a 30-22 lead. The Wildcats rebounded with a 10-0 and led 32-30, with 5:18 to play in the third. Both teams traded baskets until the media timeout at 3:35, as UMass Lowell held a one-point margin at 35-34.
 
New Hampshire's Peyton Booth had a jumper at the buzzer fall as the Wildcats went on a 21-7 run over the final 8:26 of the third to hold a 43-37 lead.
 
Lopez and Svenne both reached double-figures in the third for the River Hawks, as they both led the visitors heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
The River Hawks host UAlbany on January 18 at 7 p.m. at the Tsongas Center.