BALTIMORE, Md. – Sophomore Abbey Lindsey (Staten Island, N.Y.) recorded a team best of 17 points, as UMass Lowell (3-22, 1-12 AE) fell, 53-51, to UMBC (14-11, 7-6 AE) in America East play at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on Thursday evening.

"I thought we did a really good job of executing our defensive game plan and a good job of attacking and scoring in the paint," said Head Coach Denise King. "I am proud of the way we continue to battle each game. I am looking forward to celebrating our seniors on Saturday."

Lindsey also totaled three rebounds, three steals and one assist. Sophomore Rayne Durant (New Haven, Conn.) followed with 16 points, also recording six rebounds, one block and one steal.

UMBC would take the early lead, notching five points to then quickly lead the River Hawks 9-3 at 4:46 in the first. A 6-0 run from UMass Lowell with a layup from Lindsey at 2:47 evened the score at 9-9 and would force the Retrievers to call a timeout. Redshirt-senior Sydney Watkins (Indianapolis, Ind.) then powered to the basket, earning a layup and a foul shot at 2:06 to take the lead for the River Hawks at 14-11. Two buckets from UMBC and a point from UMass Lowell would result in a 15-15 tie heading into the second quarter.  

It was back and forth in the second quarter, with Durant and Lindsey combining for eight points. Watkins made a huge block at 5:54 giving momentum to the River Hawks, as Durant dished in a layup shortly after this sequence to make the score 19-17 with the Retrievers leading by a basket. Late in the quarter, a UMBC three ball would give the home team the edge, as the Retrievers had the 24-23 advantage going into the break.

Lindsey would get the third quarter started, hitting a reverse layup to help the River Hawks to the 25-24 lead at 9:31. The Retrievers recorded back-to-back shots at 7:07, which then led to UMBC keeping the lead for the remainder of the third, including a seven-point scoring stretch with 1:31 on the clock. The River Hawks kept fighting, as Durant earned a putback with 50 seconds left in the quarter, however, the Retrievers would lead 42-33 heading into the final minutes.

The River Hawks registered a 9-0 run with Lindsey earning seven of the points to tie the score, 42-42, at 6:57. UMBC pulled ahead at 4:05 recording two four-point stretches to earn a six-point differential, 50-44. Lindsey and freshman Nia Chima (Toronto, Ontario) would put UMass Lowell within one point with 24 seconds left at 52-51. The River Hawks fought until the buzzer, but they were not able to claim the victory, resulting in a 52-51 loss.

Up next, the River Hawks will return home to Costello Athletic Center to take on America East opponent Vermont on Saturday, February 20 with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m. UMass Lowell will celebrate Senior Day prior to the contest, honoring seniors Tasha Lima (Roslindale, Mass.), Watkins and Alex Gitchenko (Ashdod, Israel).