LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's basketball team (3-8) fought hard, but came up short against the Dartmouth Big Green (5-3), 62-51, Friday night at Costello Athletic Center.
 
"I thought we would come out with a lot more fight," stated head coach Tom Garrick. "Credit goes to Dartmouth for outplaying us for the better part of the game."
 
Freshman Kaylen Banwareesingh (Bronx, N.Y.) set a career-high with 15 points on seven made field goals, while fellow classmate Denise Solis (Windsor, Conn.) grabbed seven rebounds to lead the team.
 
Dartmouth had four players in double-figures, led by Annie McKenna and Asha Taylor both scoring 12. Taylor also added six rebounds for the team high.
 
The River Hawks got off to a quick start with a layup from freshman Jaliena Sanchez (Springfield, Mass.) in the opening seconds of the contest, but the game hit a standstill as neither team was able to capitalize on their shots, resulting in a scoreless two minutes.
 
The Big Green ran out on a 6-0 run to start the second, but the River Hawks were able to cut the deficit to eight points off a fast break layup from senior Bri Stiers (Denver, Colo.) and a trip to the line by Solis. Dartmouth responded in the final minute of the second with two three-point shots for a 33-19 advantage.
 
With 4:35 left in the third, junior Chasidey Willis (Detroit, Mich.) and Banwareesingh provided a 6-0 spurt for the River Hawks to trim the gap
 
Trailing 54-47 with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, sophomore Kharis Idom (Orlando, Fla.) connected on a fast break layup to bring the score within five points at 54-49, but the Big Green jumped out on another 6-0 run to secure the win.
 
Up next, the River Hawks will travel to Merrimack College for a post-final's competition against the Warriors. Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. on Hammel Court.
 
 "They are a good, scrappy team with strong shooters and inside game," commented Garrick. "They play a heck of a zone defense, so it will be a tough challenge for us."