LOWELL, Mass. --  For the first time in two years, the UMass Lowell women's basketball team picked up a conference win, knocking off Vermont 65-60, Sunday afternoon at the Tsongas Center.
 
After Vermont stormed back to take the lead, 45-44, with 6:39 to play, the River Hawks (4-21, 1-11) took control with 15-5 run to hold a 59-50 advantage with 1:49 to play in regulation.
 
The Catamounts (8-17, 5-7) stayed within a couple of possessions until Paula Lopez (Leon, Spain) connected on a deep three to open a 57-50 advantage. The visitors were able to knock down a pair of threes of their own, but UMass Lowell was able to hit free throws to secure the win.
 
The victory snapped a 32-game America East game losing streaking, dating back to February 8, 2016, when the River Hawks knocked off Vermont in Burlington.
 
Kayla Gibbs (Teaneck, N.J.) led the way with 19 points for UMass Lowell, as Brianna Rudolph (Lynn, Mass.) and Lopez added 15 and 12, respectively.
 
After the Catamounts started out hot, the hosts took the lead for the first time, 11-10, with 2:14 to play in the first on a Gibbs lay in.
 
The Catamounts opened up a seven-point bubble late in the first half, and led 22-17 heading into the break.
 
Behind four points from Jennifer Louro (Belmar, N.J.) the River Hawks opened up the second half on a 6-2 run, and continued to ride the momentum as the quarter drew on. Oda Shackelford (Edinburgh, Ind.) knotted the score at 35-35 halfway through the frame, and Rudolph made it a 38-35 game a minute later.
 
The third quarter belonged to the River Hawks as they outscored Vermont 22-9, including a 12-1 run over the final 5:35 to take a 44-36 advantage into the final period.
 
Vermont came storming out of the break and scored nine straight points to retake the lead at 45-44 with 6:39 to play.
 
Sydney Smith connected for 19 points to pace the Catamounts, and Hanna Crymble added 11 points.
 
UMass Lowell heads out for its final road swing of the season, beginning on Valentine's Day with a matchup at Maine at 7 p.m.