NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Junior guard Maddie Rice (Charlottesville, Va.) delivered a standout performance on Saturday afternoon, totaling a career-high 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead UMass Lowell (2-1) to a 70–54 win at Central Connecticut (0-4). Rice shot 7-for-9 from the field and knocked down five threes as one of three River Hawks in double figures.

"Any win is great but a road win is even better," said head coach Jon Plefka. "Very proud of our team in executing our game plan and not wavering when adversity hit. I grew up in the city CCSU is in so it was even sweeter to come out with a win today."

UMass Lowell broke the game open in the second quarter with a 19–9 stretch that turned an 11–10 deficit into a 29–20 halftime lead. Senior guard Jaini Edmonds (Worcester, Mass.) helped fuel the push, scoring six of her 14 points in the stretch.

CCSU opened the third with a quick run to pull within 31–29, but UMass Lowell responded with makes from Edmonds and freshman guard Tyanna Medina (Lawrence, Mass.) to push the lead back out. Rice connected on her fifth three midway through the period, helping the River Hawks enter the fourth up 49–43. UMass Lowell continued to build from there, using a 21–11 fourth quarter to finish the afternoon.

Medina added 16 points off the bench along with four steals and one assist. Sophomore forward Klimentina Modeva (Ohrid, North Macedonia) finished with a career-high 11 rebounds to go with four points, four blocks and two steals.

UMass Lowell shot 40 percent from the field and hit 10 three-pointers, while holding CCSU to 27.9 percent shooting and forcing 23 turnovers. The River Hawks led for more than 28 minutes and matched the Blue Devils on the glass, 42–42.

UMass Lowell continues its road swing Tuesday at Massachusetts.