FINAL SCORE: UMass Lowell 54, Vermont 51
LOWELL, Mass. – Brianna Rudolph scored five points in the final 75 seconds to lift UMass Lowell to a 54-51 win over Vermont Wednesday night at the Costello Athletic Center. With the win the River Hawks improved to 5-9 while the Catamounts dropped to 4-9.

RELATED LINKS
Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"I was disappointed in the lack of defensive intensity we had in the first half," said head coach Alisa Kresge. "Even with that we fought back and put ourselves in a position to tie the game. We have to be able to execute and hit big shots at the end of the game." 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Making her second start of the season Courtney Wright opened the scoring but the River Hawks scored the next nine to take an initial 9-2 lead. Hanna Crymble scored five in the quarter as Vermont battled back with their own 8-0 run. Lauren Handy scored Vermont's final eight points of the quarter and the Catamounts took a 19-17 lead into the second frame.
• The River Hawks opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run, Kharis Idom hit a three-pointer with 3:15 left in the half to give UMass Lowell a seven-point edge. Cassidy Derda hit a three-pointer in the dying seconds of the half to cut the River Hawks lead to five heading to the break. UML outscored Vermont 16-9 in the second quarter.
• In the third quarter the River Hawks momentum continued, they stretched their lead to a game-high 12 points with 2:19 remaining. Carmen Handy hit two three-point field goals late in the quarter and Vermont trailed by eight heading to the final frame.
• The Catamounts opened the final frame on a 12-2 run fueled by long-distance shots from Josie Larkins and Rose Caverly to regain the lead for the first time since the second quarter. Rudolph regained the lead for Lowell with a difficult jumper in traffic with 41 seconds remaining. Vermont had multiple looks late in the game but could not convert to force overtime.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Sophomore Carmen Handy set a new career-high with seven points Wednesday night. She also grabbed two rebounds and had one assist.
• After failing to hit any shots from downtown at Kansas on Sunday, Vermont had six different players hit three-pointers, as the Catamounts shot 9-for-29 from beyond the arc.
• Hanna Crymble led all Catamounts with 12 points, it marked the 10th time this season she has been Vermont's top scorer.
• Candice Wright blocked one shot tonight, making it 39 on the year. She needs just 11 more to tie her program record for blocks in a single season.
• Vermont's bench outscored the River Hawks 23-12.
• The Catamounts are now 4-3 in their last seven America East conference openers.

 
WHO'S NEXT
Vermont returns home for the first time in 2019 with its America East home opener against UAlbany on Saturday, January 5 at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3. Fans can watch the matchup on ESPN3 and the watchESPN app by logging in with their television provider. Fans can also listen to the contest on AM-620 WVMT with Maura Sheridan on the call.
 
Team Nissan North is the presenting sponsor of the 2018-19 women's basketball season.