River Hawks Stumble in Conference Debut Against Maine, 54-39

LOWELL, Mass. – Redshirt-senior Sydney Watkins (Indianapolis, Ind.) achieved a team-leading score of 12 points alongside six steals, as UMass Lowell (2-11) succumbed, 54-39, to Maine (6-8) during America East action at Costello Athletic Center on Thursday evening.  

“That’s what America East Conference basketball embodies,” stated Head Coach Denise King. “You take non-conference games to prepare, organizing your opponents to prepare you for this moment. Today, Maine executed offensively better when they required crucial baskets. Kudos to them and their players, but we too possess a team that can accomplish that.” 

Watkins also added four rebounds and four assists to her performance. Sophomore Abbey Lindsey (Staten Island, N.Y.) scored 10 points and added four rebounds along with one steal. Sophomore Rayne Durant (New Haven, Conn.) contributed with nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal.   

Maine would seize the initial points of the game, but the River Hawks quickly retaliated with their largest uninterrupted scoring stretch, tallying 10 points consecutively to take the lead. Lindsey initiated this run with two consecutive baskets at 4:14. UMass Lowell concluded the first quarter with a two-point advantage, 10-8. 

The second quarter commenced with UMass Lowell and Maine exchanging baskets until the Black Bears ignited a nine-point streak to lead 20-12 at 6:54. The River Hawks finished the half by securing six points, with Durant making a turnaround jumper with one second left on the clock to narrow the margin to just six, 26-20, before heading into halftime.

Maine amassed five quick points in the third quarter, enhancing its lead to 31-20 at 6:49. Durant connected on a vital three-pointer at 5:02, propelling the River Hawks on a 7-0 burst to reduce the deficit to 31-27. However, the Black Bears closed the quarter by scoring six points, entering the final minutes ahead, 37-27.

The fourth quarter saw a back-and-forth exchange between the teams, with Watkins contributing six of the River Hawks’ points, yet the Black Bears concluded the game with a six-point run, clinching their 54-39 win.

The River Hawks are set to return to Costello Athletic Center on Saturday, January 4 to face UAlbany in America East action, with a tipoff planned for 2 p.m.