LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's basketball team (0-5, 0-0 AE) fell to the Massachusetts Minutewomen (4-1, 0-0 A10) by a score of 71-53 on Tuesday night at the Costello Athletic Center.
 
Sophomore Amaya Dowdy (Woonsocket, R.I.) led the River Hawks with 18 points and 10 rebounds, recording her second career double-double. Senior Jaliena Sanchez (Springfield, Mass.) added 10 points and six assists. Junior Jaini Edmonds (Worcester, Mass.) had eight points, including two threes, and five boards.
 
The River Hawks defense looked sharp early on as the hosts forced Massachusetts into five turnovers in the first three minutes of the game. The Minutewomen couldn't get much scoring in the paint but shot 4-4 from distance to open the game. Jaini Edmonds hit a big three to keep the River Hawks within four points with two minutes left. UMass Lowell's active hands forced Massachusetts into nine first quarter turnovers, but the River Hawks only scored five points off those turnovers. Jaliena Sanchez had six points in the first to lead the team while Sydney Taylor was 3-3 from deep for the Minutewomen, who led 16-12 after one.
 
Massachusetts opened the second with a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 23-12 just two minutes in. The River Hawks fought back and cut the deficit to nine at the media break. Back-to-back scores from Amaya Dowdy paired with two stops on the defensive end sparked life in UMass Lowell out of the break. A pair of free throws from senior Kaylen Banwareesingh (Bronx, N.Y.) made it a one possession game with two and a half to play in the first half. Massachusetts led 30-26 at the half. UMass Lowell shot 39% from the field as a unit with Dowdy leading the team with nine points and four rebounds in the first half.  
 
In the third quarter, the Minutewomen went on a 7-0 run to extend the lead to double-digits and forced the River Hawks to call a timeout. Out of the break, freshman Ella Ner (Bene Atarot, Israel) knocked down a three to give UMass Lowell life once again. The visitors led 41-33 at the media break as the temperature of the game began to rise. Out of the break, the Minutewomen pushed their advantage to 49-35 at the end of the third.
 
The game grew more physical in the fourth with the teams combing for five early fouls. Amidst the scrappy play, Massachusetts maintained a wide advantage, leading 58-40 at the media timeout. The Minutewomen held on and took the game 71-53. Amaya Dowdy recorded her second career double-double, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds.  
 
Next up, UMass Lowell will head to Cambridge, Massachusetts to take on the Harvard Crimson on Wednesday, November 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Lavietes Pavilion.