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NEWARK, NJ–UMass Lowell used an early fourth quarter run to carry the River Hawks past NJIT, 70-67, in women's basketball America East Conference action on Wednesday's Education Day matinee inside the Joel and Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
UMass Lowell picks up its second straight win of the season, improving to 2-0 in the America East and 2-13 overall while the Highlanders, still in search of its first league win, moves to 0-2 on the season and 8-7 overall.
The River Hawks came out on fire in the fourth quarter, using a 13-4 spurt behind three triples from Cire Worley to give UMass Lowell a 66-61 lead, resulting in a Highlanders timeout at the 5:03 mark.
NJIT scored the next six straight points to go up by one, 67-66, at the 2:11 mark. UMass Lowell answered on the opposite end with a layup by Rayne Durant for a one-point lead, 68-67 at the 1:08 mark.
The River Hawks sank two free throws with nine seconds left to go and held a three-point lead, 70-67. NJIT came out of a timeout with 1.6 seconds left and Alejandra Zuniga put up a near half court shot for the tie but was off the mark and UMass Lowell picked up its second America East Conference road win with a 70-67 victory.
The River Hawks were led by Mili Carrera's game-best 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor and a game-best five blocks. Cire Wirley finished with 15 points off the bench, including nine points (all from beyond the arc) in the fourth quarter, going 4-for-6 followed by Rayne Durant (14pts) and Leilani Rodriguez (11pts).
NJIT had four players in double-figures paced by sophomore Alejandra Zuniga's team-best 16 points followed by Aria Myers (11pts), Trinity Williams (11pts) and Kenna Squier (11pts).
Williams combined for her third double-double of the season, combining for 11 points and pulling down a game-best 11 rebounds to go along with four blocks. NJIT held a slight advantage on the boards, 41-to-36. Lilly Anderson grabbed eight rebounds and Squier and Zuniga were credited with six rebounds.
UMass Lowell scored the first five points of the contest and extended its lead to 7-2. NJIT cut the lead to three, 9-6, and the Highlanders cut the deficit to one, 11-10, at the end of the first quarter.
NJIT took its first lead of the game in the second quarter, 17-16, after three free throws by Aria Myers after being fouled on a three-point shot at the 7:40 mark. The Highlanders used an 11-2 run over 3:22 (nine consecutive points in the last 2:30) to take a seven-point lead, 29-22, resulting in a UMass Lowell timeout at the 4:39 mark. NJIT went up by nine points, 36-27, on a three-pointer by Kenna Squier in the corner at the 2:16 mark but UMass Lowell closed out the final two minutes of the first half on an 8-2 run, cutting the Highlander deficit to three, 38-35.
After the first 20 minutes, NJIT's Zuniga and Mili Carrera led all scorers with 12 points.
NJIT scored the first five points of the third quarter but UMass Lowell answered with four points of their own for a 43-39 score at the eight-minute. Both teams went back and forth trading points and took a double-digit lead, 55-45, on a three-pointer by Aria Myers at the 4:30 mark. The River Hawks rallied back with an 8-2 spurt to pull within four of the Highlanders, 57-53, heading into the fourth quarter.
NJIT hosts its annual Education Day which gives local elementary and middle-school students an opportunity to participate in educational activities while attending a basketball game. Schools had a chance to tour the campus of NJIT and the WEC before the start of the game.
Next Up
NJIT will welcome Vermont on Saturday, January 13 at 1pm.
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