WORCESTER, Mass. — The River Hawks continue non-conference play Sunday afternoon with a road matchup at Holy Cross, closing out their road non-conference slate.
A Win Would…
• Mark the River Hawks' second straight victory
• Provide momentum heading into the break
Last Time Out
UMass Lowell earned a hard-fought overtime victory against LIU on Sunday afternoon, battling through four quarters and extra time to secure the win. The River Hawks showed resilience down the stretch, delivering key defensive stops and timely scoring in overtime. Senior guard Jaini Edmonds led the way with a career-high 26 points while recording the first double-double of her collegiate career.
Scouting the Opponent
Holy Cross enters Sunday's matchup averaging 57.0 points per game while shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 22.5 percent from three-point range through 10 games. Defensively, the Crusaders are allowing 63.2 points per contest and holding opponents to 39.3 percent shooting from the floor and 28.7 percent from beyond the arc.
NOTEBOOK: WHAT TO KNOW THIS WEEK
Balanced Production
UMass Lowell is averaging 57.6 points per game through the opening portion of the season while shooting 37.6 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from three-point range. The River Hawks have reached 60 points or more in four games, including a season-high 82-point performance against Maine–Fort Kent, and are 4–0 when scoring at least 60 points this season.
Defensive Consistency
Defensively, UMass Lowell is holding opponents to 60.7 points per game and 37.7 percent shooting from the field, ranking among the top teams in the America East in both categories. The River Hawks are also limiting opponents to 27.1 percent from three-point range and averaging 3.8 blocks per game, while holding four opponents under 55 points this season.
Beyond Regulation
UMass Lowell earned its first overtime victory in six seasons with a 73-72 win over LIU, marking the program's first extra-period victory since 2019. The River Hawks closed the game with composure on both ends to secure the milestone result.
Perimeter Focus
The River Hawks connected on 13 three-pointers in the overtime win against LIU, marking the program's highest single-game total since Nov. 14, 2014. The previous program high of 14 came in a 93–41 victory over Mount Ida.
Career, Rewritten
Jaini Edmonds turned in a career performance against LIU, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals to record the first double-double of her collegiate career. The 26-point outing established a new career high, surpassing her previous best of 22 and marking her highest scoring performance as a River Hawk. Edmonds' effort marked her second 20-point game of the season, and she has now scored in double figures seven times through the first 11 games to lead all scorers.
The Bigger Picture
UMass Lowell ranks inside the national top 120 in multiple defensive categories, including blocks per game (99th), three-point percentage defense (73rd), field-goal percentage defense (104th), and scoring defense (116th). Offensively, the River Hawks rank 71st nationally in three-point attempts per game (23.9) and 129th in three-pointers made per game (6.9), reflecting a perimeter-heavy shot profile.
