LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell women's basketball team (0-10) will play one more game before the holiday break as the Harvard Crimson (5-5) come to town for an afternoon matchup. Tip is set for 1:00 p.m. at the Costello Athletic Center on Friday, December 22.
 
December 22 vs. Harvard (ESPN+ -- 1:00 p.m.)
 
Watch | Live Stats | Game Notes
 
LOOKING AT UMASS LOWELL
The River Hawks returned home for the first of five straight contests at the Costello Athletic Center. UMass Lowell fell to Dartmouth 58-52, but Mili Carrera was a bright spot for the River Hawks. The graduate student set a career-high in points (25), rebounds (8), assists (4) and field goals made (10). Leilani Rodriguez and Sydney Coombs combined for 15 points while Sydney Watkins added four rebounds and four assists. UMass Lowell is still searching for its first win of the 2023-24 campaign.
 
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON
Harvard started the season 5-2 but have since lost three straight games to Michigan, Maine and, most recently, Boston University. Three players average double figures with Harmoni Turner averaging 20.6 points through eight games. Lola Mullaney is posting 15.9 points and 4.7 rebounds while Elena Rodriguez is bringing in a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game to go with 11.4 points and nine total blocks. The Crimson shoot 43% from the field, 32% from three and 76% from the line. Harvard also averages 8 steals and 3.9 blocks per game this season.
 
VETERAN PRESENCE
Mili Carrera's return was a big one as the graduate student set career highs in several stats. Shei's been a leader all the season and the River Hawks will rely on her production and leadership as conference play approaches. Sydney Watkins has been all over the court and the box score all season, leading the team in rebounds and steals while providing a constant energy boost for UMass Lowell. Sydney Coombs and Leilani Rodriguez have been big leaders both on and off the court, helping the newcomers learn the league.
 
A WIN WOULD
A win would be the first victory of the season for the River Hawks and the first win in program history over Harvard.
 
LEADING THE FLOCK
Mili Carrera leads the squad averaging 11.6 points per game while Sydney Watkins leads the rebounding unit with 6.7 per game. Rayne Durant is the team's leading blocker with 10 on the season. Carrera and Abbey Lindsey are both shooting over 33% from three and Cire Worley remains perfect from the free throw line. Watkins leads the team with 31 steals and 32 assists through 10 games, leading the league in steals and sitting fourth in assists.