ALBANY, N.Y. – Freshman Jaliena Sanchez (Springfield, Mass.) led the way with a career-high 19 points as the UMass Lowell women's basketball team (14-14, 10-5 AE) defeated UAlbany (9-19, 5-10 AE) in an exciting, 78-75, victory at the SEFCU Arena on Wednesday night.
 
Battling through ten first-half lead changes, Sanchez was one of three River Hawks in double-figures as Kharis Idom (Orlando, Fla.) also pitched in 19 points for her 17th straight game scoring 10 or more, including the team-high seven rebounds. Junior Tiahna Sears (Bunbury, Aus.) chipped in 12, respectively.
 
"I thought our team showed resilience and heart," stated head coach Tom Garrick. "We didn't play hard in those last five minutes and that's something we're always going to continue to be working on but I'm really proud of the effort the team put in all season."
 
UAlbany was paced by Helene Haegerstrand's 23 points, while center Alexi Schecter added 20 points and seven rebounds.
 
With both teams trading points throughout the first the River Hawks would finally pull away before the first media timeout after an Idom jumper, followed by a layup from junior Chasidey Willis (Detroit, Mich.) to hold a one-point lead going into the second.
 
More back-and-forth action would continue through the beginning second, before another jumper by Idom would spark an 11-2 run, giving the visitors an eight-point buffer heading into the half, 39-31.
 
A small 7-2 spurt from Sanchez and senior Brianne Stiers (Denver, Colo.) would extend the River Hawk lead, 50-39, going into the first media of the third. A shot from outside the arc by Sears followed by a trip to the line would give the visitors a 14-point advantage heading into the final stretch, 57-43.
 
The River Hawks started off strong in the opening minutes of the fourth with a triple from Idom, followed by free throws from Sanchez, to give UMass Lowell their largest lead of the contest 70-52, but a Haegerstrand three-pointer at 3:40 would spark 12-0 run for the home team, trimming the gap 71-64.
 
The Great Danes would cut the gap once again after a Schecter layup, but the River Hawks would connect on 8-of-12 free throws in the final minute to pull away with the 78-75 victory.
 
Up next the River Hawks will close out their regular season with a trip to Vermont on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.