Belanger's 32 Points Pace Streak-Snapping Win

Thursday, January 21

Durham, N.H.

7 PM

University of New Hampshire

7-11, 1-4AE

University of Massachusetts Lowell

3-15, 0-6AE

UMLW

New Hampshire

Elizabeth Belanger vs. UMass Lowell 1.21.16

Elizabeth Belanger matched her career high with 32 points on Thursday night.

Photo by: Elise Austin-Washburn

1/21/2016 8:29:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

DURHAM, N.H. – Senior guard Elizabeth Belanger matched her career-high with 32 points and collected seven rebounds to lead the UNH women's basketball team to a 65-61 win over UMass Lowell on Thursday night in Lundholm Gymnasium.

The Wildcats snapped a nine-game losing streak with their first America East win. They improved to 7-11 overall and 1-4 in the league. UMass Lowell fell to 3-15 and 0-6 with its eighth straight loss.

The Wildcats play their next two games on the road at Hartford on Sunday (noon) and at Vermont on Wednesday (7 p.m.). Their next home game is Saturday, Jan. 30 against UMBC (1 p.m.). For tickets, visit www.unhwildcats.com or call 603-862-4000.

Belanger had a monster game. She made 12 of her 16 field goal attempts, including three of her five three-pointers, and five of her six free throws. She also had four steals. Belanger set her career-high with 32 points just two games ago at Stony Brook.

Belanger pulled down a key offensive rebound with 1:55 to play and UNH up 58-53. She followed with two more baskets and UNH was up 62-55 with 58 seconds to play.

Nicole Hayner hit a three-pointer to cut it to 62-58 with 18.7 seconds to go.

A couple of free throws by sophomore guard Peyton Booth and one by junior guard Kristen Anderson helped close out the win.

Senior forward Corinne Coia and freshman forward Ashley Storey each scored eight points for the Wildcats. Booth had seven points. Anderson, who had missed the last four games with an injury, led UNH with three assists.

UNH had only eight turnovers in the game. UMass Lowell had 20 turnovers.

The Wildcats had the edge in points off turnovers at 18-7 and in bench points at 11-3.

The River Hawks had 40 rebounds to UNH's 31.

Hayner led UMass Lowell with 19 points, Lindsey Doucette had 18 and Kayla Gibbs added 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Belanger struck early in the game. She had 11 points in the first period to pace the Wildcats to a 15-14 lead.

UNH used a 10-1 run from late in the first period to midway in the second to open a 23-15 edge on the River Hawks with 4:40 left in the first half.

The teams traded baskets from there and it was UNH 27, UMass Lowell 20 at the break.

Belanger made six of her eight shots and scored 15 points in the first half and also led the team in rebounds with three.

UNH had a 14-4 edge in points in the paint and 14-0 advantage in points off turnovers in the first half. UMass Lowell had 12 first-half turnovers and UNH had four.

The Wildcats stretched their lead to 43-33 at the end of three periods.

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