LOWELL, Mass. — UMass Lowell women's basketball (6-14, 0-7 AE) battled throughout but came up short in a 75–52 loss to UMBC (10-9, 5-2 AE) on Saturday afternoon at the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex.

"Twenty offensive rebounds is a huge number," commented head coach Jon Plefka. "We just couldn't take advantage of those opportunities. When you go 5-for-33 from the outside, it's going to be an uphill battle. Credit to UMBC for pressuring us on the perimeter and causing some miscues."

The River Hawks opened the game trading early possessions, with senior guard Jaini Edmonds (Worcester, Mass.) knocking down a three to get Lowell on the board. Junior guard Maddie Rice (Charlottesville, Va.) and freshman guard Tyanna Medina (Lawrence, Mass.) followed with aggressive drives and second-chance looks, but UMBC's early shot-making allowed the visitors to take a 23–16 lead after one quarter.

In the second period, Lowell continued to generate possessions. Graduate forward Anabel Latorre Ciria (Zaragoza, Spain) and sophomore forward Nia Chima (Toronto, Ontario) controlled the glass on multiple sequences, with Chima converting a put-back to pull the River Hawks within single digits. Edmonds added a pair of free throws late in the half, but UMBC's interior finishing kept Lowell trailing 34–25 at the break.

Coming out of halftime, the River Hawks showed renewed energy. Rice buried a three off a turnover, and Latorre Ciria finished inside to trim the deficit. Edmonds continued to apply pressure offensively, hitting a second-chance jumper and later drilling a three to keep Lowell within reach. Despite the push, UMBC maintained a 53–39 edge entering the fourth quarter.

Lowell opened the final period with Medina attacking the paint for a layup, then later connecting from deep as the River Hawks continued to fight to close the gap. However, UMBC answered each run, and Lowell was unable to fully cut into the margin down the stretch, falling 75–52.

Edmonds led UMass Lowell with 20 points and three assists, while Medina added nine points. Rice contributed nine points and five rebounds, Chima finished with eight points off the bench, and Latorre Ciria posted six points and five boards.

UMass Lowell returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 29, hosting UNH at the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex before traveling to Maine for a Saturday, Jan. 31 matchup.