WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Freshman Carmen Villalobos led the way with a career-high 21 points and four steals, as the Hartford women's basketball team fell to America East foe UMass Lowell, 68-63, at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion on Wednesday evening. With the loss, the Hawks fell to 0-16 on the year and 0-3 in the America East, while the River Hawks improved to 7-9 on the season and 3-0 in conference play.

PHOTO GALLERY

UMASS LOWELL 68, HARTFORD 63
UMass Lowell used the opening six minutes of the contest to jump out to an early 10-4 lead. However, the Hawks closed the quarter with an 8-3 run to cut the deficit to 13-12 heading into the second quarter. Hartford maintained momentum early in the second, going on a 7-1 run to take a 19-14 with 7:57 left in the half. After UMass Lowell battled to take a 26-25 lead late in the half, Hartford used the final two minutes to go on a 6-2 run to take a 31-28 into the break.

The Hawks used a 7-2 run to open the second half to push its lead to 38-30, its largest lead of the game. UMass Lowell cut Hartford's lead to 42-39 before the Hawks pushed their lead to 46-41 heading into the fourth quarter. The River Hawks opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to take a 48-46 lead with 8:11 to go in regulation. After Hartford battled back to take a 57-55 lead, UMass Lowell responded with back-to-back three-pointers to take a 61-57 lead with 3:12 to go in regulation.

UMass Lowell held Hartford to four points over the final 2:30 minutes of play to hold on for the 68-63 win over the Hawks.

INSIDE THE BOX AND NOTES

• Carmen Villalobos scored a career-high 21 points, surpassing her previous career-high of 13
• Villalobos also added a career-high four steals and grabbed five rebounds
• Jada Lucas added 17 points and five rebounds
• Azariah Waded totaled a career-high eight points off the bench 
• Kharis Idom led UMass Lowell with a game-high 23 points