Women's Basketball

February 3, 2010

Women's Basketball Edged At Buzzer By UMass Lowell, 64-62


Box Score: http://www.smcathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2009-10/stats/wstmuml.htm.

LOWELL, Mass. - The Saint Michael's College women's basketball team (7-12, 5-11 Northeast-10 Conference) saw its two-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday in a heartbreaking 64-62 loss at the University of Massachusetts Lowell at Costello Gym.

Senior Michelle Otey (Southborough, Mass./Algonquin Regional) recorded a team-high 18 points and seven rebounds in the loss, making 7-of-10 shots from the field. Junior Logan Pintka (Schenectady, N.Y./Colonie Central) added 16 points, five rebounds and three steals, while senior Alexis Keller (Harrington Park, N.J./Old Tappan) recorded 13 points and three steals.

Five players scored in double figures for UMass Lowell (13-7, 9-7 NE-10), led by Krissy Little's 12 points. Brianca Simmons was one of four River Hawks to net 10 points, with her final two points coming on a jumper with two seconds to go, snapping a 62-all tie.

The win was the 399th as UMass Lowell basketball coach for Saint Michael's Hall of Famer Kathy O'Neil '81.

Saint Michael's led for nearly the entire first half, until a 7-0 UMass Lowell run to close the period gave the hosts a 29-28 advantage at the break.

The River Hawks stretched their lead to a game-high eight points, 52-44, following a pair of Rahshala Valentine free throws with 10:47 left in regulation. Saint Michael's then went on a 12-4 run to tie the score at 56-all on a three-point play from Otey with 7:16 remaining. The Purple Knights couldn't take the lead, but did tie the game twice after that, the final time on a Keller jump shot with 1:39 left, evening the score at 62-all. Following two missed shots by UMass Lowell, and a turnover by Saint Michael's, Simmons drained her game-winner, leaving no time for Saint Michael's to get off a shot in the final seconds.

Saint Michael's returns to action on Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. contest versus league-rival Bentley University in "Think Pink" Day at the Ross Sports Center.

##PURPLEKNIGHTS###