SMITHFIELD, RI (Dec. 1, 2007) – Junior G Cara Johnson (Endicott, NY) scored a game-high 16 points to lead Bryant University over UMass Lowell, 71-37, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference women’s basketball game at the Chace Athletic Center.

The loss was the fourth straight for the River Hawks, who slipped to 1-4 overall and 0-4 in the NE-10 entering Tuesday’s clash at Merrimack (5:30). Bryant improved to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Conference.

Senior F Liron Asher (Givataim, Israel) led UMass Lowell with nine points and seven rebounds.

Sophomore G Courtney Schermerhorn (Lowell, MA) chipped in 10 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Bulldogs.

Bryant forced 26 turnovers from UML while committing 19, and capitalized as it outscored the River Hawks 34-4 off miscues. The Bulldogs also grabbed 24 offensive rebounds (opposed to 14 by UML) and outscored the River Hawks 15-4 on second chances.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 20-14 lead in the first half and ended the half with a 16-6 spurt to establish a 36-20 lead at the break. Sophomore G Kristin Mraz (Johnstown, NY) led the run with four points while Johnson and Schermerhorn each added a 3-point shot.