BALTIMORE, MD. – The UMass Lowell women's basketball team (1-15, 0-6 AE) fell to the UMBC Retrievers (7-10, 4-2 AE) 76-59 on Wednesday afternoon at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena.
 
Four River Hawks scored double digit points at UMBC. Senior Kaylen Banwareesingh (Bronx, N.Y.) scored a team-high 17 points and nine rebounds with three assists and two blocks. Graduate student Mili Carrera (Lima, Peru) scored 10 points off the bench on 3-4 shooting and added two rebounds, two steals and one assist. Junior Jaini Edmonds (Worcester, Mass.) and senior Jaliena Sanchez (Springfield, Mass.) each scored 10 points.
 
The River Hawks got off to a slow start in Maryland, shooting just 2-4 from the field in the opening five minutes. UMBC shot 4-7 to take an 11-4 lead at the first media break. Scoring woes continued as UMass Lowell went scoreless over two and half minutes with five turnovers in the opening frame. The hosts hit four of five shots to close out the quarter to stretch their advantage, but a late basket from Jaini Edmonds made it a 19-10 game after 10 minutes.
 
Kaylen Banwareesingh knocked down a three to cut the lead to six, but turnovers continued to hurt the River Hawks. Not taking care of the basketball allowed the Retrievers to stretch their lead with six minutes to play in the half before taking a 34-19 lead at the media break. UMBC went on an 13-0 run over 4:27 to close out the quarter to take a commanding 47-20 lead at the half. The Retrievers scored 20 points on 12 UMass Lowell turnovers in the first half.
 
UMass Lowell started the second half much better than the first, outscoring the Retrievers 12-7, but still trailed 54-32 at the media break. The River Hawks shot 5-8 from the field and 2-3 from three as they tried to claw their way back into the game. UMass Lowell outscored the hosts 21-16 in the third, shooting 64% from the field and 3-4 from deep. Despite a better third quarter, UMBC led 63-41 heading into the fourth.
 
Building off the third quarter, UMass Lowell scored six quick points in the opening minute of the fourth to chip away at the deficit. Kiara Bell was a force all afternoon and continued to dominate the floor in the fourth quarter. UMBC's forward scored 20 points on 9-11 shooting with five rebounds and three steals. The River Hawks battled every possession, slowly chipping away at the Retriever advantage. The hosts had 22 offensive rebounds, extending their possession, and tiring out a depleted UMass Lowell roster. UMBC held on to win the game 72-57 on Wednesday afternoon.