Score: UAlbany 56, UMass Lowell 53
Location: SEFCU Arena – Albany, N.Y.
Records: UAlbany (11-13, 8-3 AE), UMass Lowell (6-19, 2-10 AE)
Short Story: The University at Albany women's basketball team extended its win streak to four games with a thrilling 56-53 win at America East foe UMass Lowell on Wednesday night.
Highlights:
- Heather Forster (16 pts), Alexi Schecter (13 pts) and Kyara Frames (12 pts) each finished the contest in double-figures.
- Brianna Rudolph notched a game-high 24 points.
- The Great Danes improve to 14-0 in the all-time series since the River Hawks were elevated to Division I.
- UMass Lowell edged UAlbany in the battle of the boards, 28-23.
Recap: In her return to the Mill City, Alexi Schecter turned in a double-figure scoring performance with 13 points to help guide the Great Danes to their eighth America East Conference win on Wednesday evening.
Schecter, a native of Lowell, Mass., fell three rebounds short of a double-double with seven. Heather Forster tied a career-high in points with 16, while Kyara Frames added to the offense with 12 points.
Schecter got things rolling with a jumper on the opening possession. UMass Lowell countered with a basket of their own before nine straight points from the Great Danes gave the visitors an 11-2 lead. The two teams traded baskets throughout the remainder of the half as UAlbany carried a 10-point advantage into the second frame.
The Great Danes extended their lead to as many as 21 in the second quarter. Chyanna Canada record six straight points during the 16-3 run, and nailed a baseline jumper that put her team ahead 34-11.
Heather Forster notched 13 points in the first half, helping her team grab a 36-15 advantage at the break.
UMass Lowell began to chip away at the deficit in the third quarter. The River Hawks began the frame on a 7-0 run before a jump shot by Brianna Rudolph made it a 11-point game with 3:20 to play. The home team held UAlbany scoreless for the remainder of the quarter, cutting a one double-digit deficit to seven points, 44-37, with one quarter to play.
The River Hawks cut the difference to as little as two points, before Ren'Cia Rolling hit a triple to give her team a 51-50 lead with 2:55 to play.
UAlbany regained the lead on the very next possession thanks to a long ball from Patricia Conroy. The Great Danes held onto the lead for the reminder of the contest. Khepera Stokes drilled a jump shot from the top of the key with four second remaining to solidify the 56-53 lead.
Up Next: The Great Danes return home for a 2 p.m. contest on Saturday against Maine for UAlbany's annual Pink Game.
