Feb. 16, 2010

Bianca Simmons, a freshman guard from Middletown, CT, was named the Northeast-10 Conference Freshman of the Week Monday after leading the UMass Lowell women’s basketball team to a 1-1 split last week.

The honor marks the fourth time this season – the second straight week and third time in four – that Simmons was named the NE-10 Freshman of the Week.

Simmons put together averages of 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists as UMass Lowell suffered a 70-61 loss at Southern New Hampshire but rebounded to defeat Merrimack, 77-65, at home on Saturday.

Simmons posted 23 points and six rebounds while shooting 9-18 from the floor and 4-5 from the free throw line in the loss at SNHU. She scored nine of her points in a late 17-4 run that brought the River Hawks within three points (64-61) with 1:25 left to play, only to fall short.

Simmons followed with 12 points, six assists and five rebounds in Saturday’s win over Merrimack.

For the season, Simmons is currently averaging a team-high 12.7 points along with 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting.825 from the free throw line, currently second in the NE-10.

UMass Lowell (15-8 overall, 11-8 in the NE-10) returns home Wednesday to host Bentley, the final home game for the River Hawk seniors. UMass Lowell caps the regular season Saturday at Saint Anselm (1:30) and next Wednesday at Franklin Pierce (5:30).

Simmons is a former all-state and all-conference standout at Mercy H.S. She is the daughter of Cheryl and Reginald Simmons of Middletown, CT.