SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The UMass Lowell women's basketball team (2-15, 1-6 AE) picked up a massive road win over the Bryant Bulldogs (6-14, 1-7 AE) on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, River Hawks pick up their first conference win of the season.
 
Sophomore Ivory Finely (Minneapolis, Minn.) tied her career-high with 18 points on 7-10 shooting to lead the team. Senior Jaliena Sanchez (Springfield, Mass.) added 17 points on 6-8 shooting and a career-high seven rebounds. The senior also added eight assists on the afternoon. Junior Jaini Edmonds (Worcester, Mass.) and senior Kaylen Banwareesingh (Bronx, N.Y.) scored 16 and 12 points, respectively, to round out a complete team win for the River Hawks.
 
UMass Lowell shot 53% from the field, their best shooting performance of the season,
 and 40% from behind the arc against the Bulldogs. The River Hawks also recorded 25 defensive rebounds for the third time this season, matching their best showing on the glass.
 
Both teams entered the game in need of a conference win and the play on the court did not disappoint. The River Hawks and Bulldogs went back and forth, exchanging baskets and alternating the lead every possession. Graduate student Mili Carrera (Lima, Peru) came up with a big three off the bench to put the visitors ahead 12-10 at the first media timeout. Out of the break, there was plenty of action both ends out of the break as the Bulldogs took an 18-15 after 10 minutes. UMass Lowell shot 50% from the field in the opening frame but had four turnovers to Bryant's one.
 
Bryant held a four-point edge through the opening four minutes of the second quarter before a big three from Mili Carrera brought the River Hawks within one. Ivory Finley put the visitors in front after an easy layup on a great feed from Jaliena Sanchez. UMass Lowell led 29-28 at the media timeout, their first lead since early in the first quarter. Out of the break, the River Hawks opened a five-point lead behind great work on the offensive glass. Bryant knocked down its first three of the game to cut the lead to one with just over 90 seconds in the half. Sanchez's layup at the end of the frame gave the River Hawks a 39-34 lead at the half.
 
Mili Carrera made a big impact off the bench in the first half, scoring nine points including two threes. Ivory Finley added 11 first half points while Jaliena Sanchez dished out six assists. Bryant's Mariona Planes Fortuny led all scorers with 16 points in the first half.
 
Kaylen Banwareesingh opened the third with a three-point play to stretch the lead the eight points early in the second half. The River Hawks struggled from the field after the opening possession but held a 44-36 lead at the media break thanks to big defensive rebounds. Bryant clawed back into the game, but the River Hawks had an answer for every Bulldogs' basket and kept the lead at six points. Jaliena Sanchez hit a big three to keep UMass Lowell ahead by seven before Jaini Edmonds' three gave the River Hawks a 10-point lead. Ivory Finley's late triple capped off an 8-0 run as UMass Lowell led 59-44 heading into the fourth.
 
The Bulldogs looked for a spark to find a way back into the game trailing by 15 to start the fourth but could not hit timely shots to cut into the lead. On the other end, UMass Lowell took better care of the basketball and knocked down big shots to keep the lead at double digits. Kaylen Banwareesingh knocked down the team's eighth three of the afternoon to bring the lead back to 15 with just over five and a half minutes to play. Bryant applied pressure late in the game, but the River Hawks stay composed with each wave of attack. Bryant cut the lead to 10 with just under two minutes to play, but the River Hawks hit free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
 
UMass Lowell returns to action on Wednesday, January 25 to take on the Maine Black Bears. Tip-off is slated for 11:00 a.m. at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.