Minnesota

UMass Lowell’s first long distance trip of the season was to Big Ten foe Minnesota. The River Hawks faced the Gophers on Tuesday, November 12.  

Butler

UMass Lowell flew to Indianapolis, Ind. to face Butler on Sunday, November 24. The Bulldogs compete in the Big East with many other well-respected teams. The game took place at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, known as Indiana’s Basketball Cathedral.  

The River Hawks battled with the Bulldogs, as the contest was even at 12-12 heading into the second quarter.  

Puerto Rico Clasico 

The River Hawks traveled to Puerto Rico to compete in the Puerto Rico Clasico. Games took place at the Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez. On Friday, November 29, UMass Lowell took on UNC Wilmington, followed by a matchup with San Jose State on Saturday, November 30. The River Hawks were able to enjoy the warm weather and immerse themselves in the culture while competing at a high level of play.  

Recap – UML 69, Le Moyne 56 

The River Hawks’ first win of the season came on the road against Le Moyne on Saturday, December 7. Senior Alex Gitchenko (Ashdod, Israel) recorded a team best and career high of 19 points, going 9-for-13 from the field. Sophomore Rayne Durant (New Haven, Conn.) was close behind with a career high of her own, totaling 18 points  

Recap – UML 49, Iona 38 

UMass Lowell earned its second win in a row versus Iona on Tuesday, December 10. Redshirt-senior Sydney Watkins (Indianapolis, Ind.) posted a team high of 15 points, while also earning a double-double with 12 rebounds.  

Recap – UML 56, New Hampshire 54 

It was a buzzer-beater finish in Durham, N.H. on Saturday, January 25. Gitchenko was credited with the winning basket, helping defeat the Wildcats. Durant registered a team high of 16 points, going 7-for-11 from the field.  

Field Trip Day 

The River Hawks invited schools from around the area to participate in Field Trip Day on Thursday, January 30. UMass Lowell faced NJIT in the Tsongas Center with both teams experiencing a booming environment.   

Stat Sheet Leaders 

Sophomore Abbey Lindsey (Staten Island, N.Y.) – 11 points per game 

Sophomore Maddie Rice (Charlottesville, Va.) – 5.7 rebounds per game 

Watkins – 73 assists & 71 steals 

Durant – 29 blocks 

2024-25 River Hawk of the Week 

Gitchenko picked up River Hawk of the Week honors twice this season.  

For her first selection during the week of December 9, Gitchenko scored a career high of 19 points and led the team to a 69-56 victory against Le Moyne. Off the bench, Gitchenko went 9-13 from the field, scoring 12 of her points in the first half. She not only had the team best in points, but also led the River Hawks in rebounds with seven. Gitchenko added four steals and two assists to her stat line, as well. 

For the week of January 27, Gitchenko earned the honors for her heroic efforts in the win against New Hampshire. With the score tied at 54-54, Gitchenko would sink the winning basket for the River Hawks with three seconds to go to beat the Wildcats, 56-54. Gitchenko totaled 10 points on the day, going 5-for-10 from the field and earning six rebounds and three steals. 

National & America East Leaders 

Watkins ranked 21st in the nation throughout NCAA Division I women’s basketball for steals per game with 2.63 per game. Watkins also led the America East Conference in steals per game.  

UMass Lowell Seniors

The River Hawks celebrated three seniors in 2024-25.  

Senior Tasha Lima (Roslindale, Mass.) competed in 41 games as a River Hawk. She recorded a career-best of 11 points versus Central Connecticut State in 2023.  

Watkins transferred from Miami and competed in 54 games as a River Hawk. She served as a two-year captain for UMass Lowell. She led the team in assists with 80 and steals with 76 last season. Watkins posted a career-best 16 points versus UAlbany and Vermont in 2024. She dished out 10 assists at NJIT in 2024 to tie the UMass Lowell Division I single-game and is tied for sixth in program history. With another successful season this year, Watkins led the America East in steals for the second year in a row.

Gitchenko transferred from Georgia State and appeared in 38 games as a River Hawk. She recorded a personal best of 19 points at Le Moyne this past December. This season she averaged 4.8 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game.