LOWELL, MA (Feb. 16, 2008) – Senior F Erica Kirwan (North Kingstown, RI) posted career-highs of 14 points and 14 rebounds to lead Bentley College over UMass Lowell, 57-46, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference women’s basketball clash at the Costello Athletic Center.

The loss was the fourth straight for the River Hawks, who slipped to 10-14 overall and 5-12 in the NE-10 entering Tuesday’s clash at Southern Connecticut (5:30). The Falcons halted a two-game slide and improved to 16-8 overall and 13-6 in the Conference and host Assumption Tuesday (5:30).

The victory was the 750th of Falcon Head Coach Barbara Stevens, which ranks sixth in NCAA history.

Sophomore F Jen Valente (Prospect, CT) came off the bench to score a season-high 13 points and grab six rebounds while freshman G Krissy Little (Concord, NH) added 12 points, converting 5 of 8 field goal attempts. Sophomore G Rahshala Valentine (Cincinnati, OH) chipped in 11 points.

Kirwan converted 4 of 6 field goal attempts and meshed all six of her free throws. Senior C Vanessa Lux (Arundel, ME) added 12 points and eight rebounds while freshman G Kim Brennan (Locust Valley, NY) also scored 12 points and dished five assists.

With the score tied 41-41 with 7:51 left to play, the Falcons used a 15-5 run to end the game. Lux and Kirwan each scored six of their points in the spurt.

Bentley outscored UML 12-5 at the free throw line and shot significantly better in the second half – .500, 12 for 24 – while the River Hawks struggled to a .367 clip (11 for 30).

The Falcons led at the half, 21-20.