February 5 vs. Stony Brook (7 p.m.)
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February 8 at UMBC (12 p.m.)
Live Stats
 
LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's basketball team (12-10, 8-1 AE) will have a second shot against Stony Brook (21-1, 9-0 AE) on Wednesday, February 5 when they welcome them to the Tsongas Center before heading to UMBC (6-14, 2-7 AE) in a Saturday afternoon matchup with the Retrievers.
 
LOOKING AT UMASS LOWELL
Bouncing back with their 66-53 victory against New Hampshire the River Hawks improve to 12-10 overall and 8-1 in conference action. After sporting her 12th game this season scoring 10 or more points lone sophomore Kharis Idom is the only River Hawk averaging double-digits with 10.2 points on the season. Consistent starter, Denise Solis ranks next, grabbing 9.1 points. Senior Bri Stiers paces the defensive end, posting 5.7 rebounds to lead all River Hawks. As a unit, UMass Lowell is shooting 35 percent from the field, and 67 percent from the line. 
 
SCOUTING STONY BROOK
In the midst of a historic season, the Seawolves are currently 21-1 overall and 9-0 in the conference for the second-longest win streak in the nation, behind Gonzaga (22). Junior forward India Pagan continues to lead the Seawolves in scoring with 13.8 points per game. Guard Kaela Hilaire leads the team in free throws, shooting 72 percent from the line for an average of 12.4 points per game. Collectively, Stony Brook is shooting 40 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line.
 
SCOUTING UMBC
The Retrievers are currently 6-14 overall and 2-7 in the conference, dropping their most recent matchup against Stony Brook, 66-49, on Saturday afternoon. Senior Te'yJah Oliver leads the squad with 19.9 points on the season, ranking her second in the America East. Junior forward Janee'a Summers is averaging 7.4 rebounds per game, placed at third in the conference. As a unit UMBC is shooting a league-best 41 percent from the field while, averaging 36.2 rebounds per game.
 
LAST TIME OUT
A game-high of 33 made free throws was the deciding factor as the squad completed the series sweep, finishing off New Hampshire, 66-53, on Saturday afternoon. Three River Hawks posted double-digit efforts with Kharis Idom leading the way with 18 points, while Bri Stiers pitched in 13, leading the defensive end as well with seven rebounds. Free throw opportunities from Jaliena Sanchez and Idom, including the teams third and1 of the day, coming from Tiahna Sears, extended the lead in the final minutes to secure the win.
 
FROM 0-7 to 8-1
With their wins over all but one America East opponent the River Hawks continue conference play with a solid 8-1 record for the first time in Division I history. UMass Lowell last saw opening conference wins against Palm Beach Atlantic (84-76 2OT), Southern New Hampshire (96-82) and Southern Connecticut (77-74) back in the 2012-13 season where the River Hawks ran out on a nine-game win streak.
 
STREAKS AND SWEEPS   
For the first time since joining Division I the River Hawks ended multiple losing streaks against America East opponents; New Hampshire, UAlbany and Maine, including their first series sweep over the Wildcats with their most recent victory.
 
BIRDS EYE VIEW
UMass Lowell was spotted last in the preseason poll with only twelve points compared to the top contender, Maine, with 64 points. After their seven-game streak the River Hawks now sit in second place overall just behind Stony Brook who is undefeated at 9-0.
 
FREE POINTS
In the most recent win against UNH six different River Hawks registered points from the free throw line for the team's best performance of the season. Bri Stiers and Tiahna Sears each went 4-for-4 in the first quarter to lead all River Hawks.
 
'TWAS A WHILE AGO
With their game-high of 33 made free throws against UNH the River Hawks were able to top their performance from the 1992. On January 15, 1992 the River Hawks recorded a record-high 31 made free throws to defeat Bridgeport, 88-74.
 
TWICE IS NICE
For the second time this season Tiahna Sears posted multi-point efforts with 14 rebounds and 10 points to grab her second-career double-double in the victory against Vermont.
 
RIVER HAWKS FOR 500
Averaging a .545 win percentage, the River Hawks have seen their most successful year in Division I, resulting the latest in the season they have ever been above .500, including their highest conference percentage at .889.
 
SNEAKY SANCHEZ
Jaliena Sanchez set a new personal-best, recording eight steals in the win against Maine. She now joins four other River Hawks tied for second place for single-game leaders in steals. The last time this happened was during the 2012-13 season where Bianca Simmons snagged eight in the 73-62 win over St. Anslem.
 
BOARDED UP
In the midst of their best conference run in Division I, the River Hawks have outrebounded their opponents by 8.6 percent, posting 111 offensive and 226 defensive, compared to the oppositions 290 rebounds. UMass Lowell's most impressive performance was against Binghamton, recording 48 rebounds in the contest.
 
A DIME A DOZEN
With her career-high seven assists in the win over Maine, Sanchez is averaging a team-best 2.8 dimes per game this season. As a unit the River Hawks secured a season-high with 18 assists on 22 made field goals in the battle against Hartford (1.8).
 
CONNECT FOUR
In five contests this season, five different River Hawks have found themselves in double-digit point territory.
 
Massachusetts: Solis (17), Price (11) Sanchez (10), Rolling (10)
Yale: Rolling (16), Sanchez (12), Solis (10), Willis (10)
Cornell: Solis (14), Price (11), Sanchez (10), Rolling (10)
FDU: Solis (21), Sanchez (18), Idom (11), Rolling (10)
Maine: Solis (12), Stiers (12), Sanchez (11), Idom (11)
 
PROTECT THE HOUSE
Bri Stiers currently leads the team with 5.8 rebounds per game for the River Hawks, which ranks 14th among America East players. Denise Solis leads the offensive end with 2.3 rebounds per game and is ninth in the conference, helping the squad earn the third spot overall with 13.1 offensive rebounds per game.
 
FINDING THE RIGHT COMBO
The River Hawks used a different starting lineup combination in the first five contests this season, with Denise Solis being consistent through every game. The last twelve lineups have featured Sanchez, Idom, Rolling, Willis and Solis. but the last two have seen appearances from Stiers and Price.