LOWELL, Mass. – Adam Shemansky scored the go-ahead goal in the final minute of the second period Friday night, and the University of Maine men’s ice hockey team knocked off No. 3 UMass-Lowell, 3-1, at Tsongas Arena

Maine improved to 5-7-1 on the season and even their record to 4-4-1 in Hockey East play. UMass Lowell fell to 8-4-1 overall and 4-3-1 in Hockey East play.

UMass-Lowell struck first just 58 seconds into the second period. The River Hawks took several shots that Maine goalie Scott Darling was able to stop, but the rebound sat in the crease until Kory Falite was able to put it by Darling. Ben Holmstrom assisted on the goal for the River Hawks.

Maine tied the game at 1-1 when Tanner House one-timed a pass from Gustav Nyquist past Lowell goalie Nevin Hamilton from the top of the face-off circle. Mark Nemec, who returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with an injury, also assisted on the goal for the Black Bears for his first career point.

Maine took a 2-1 lead when Shemansky tipped home a Spencer Abbott shot from the blueline on the power play. David deKastrozza also assisted on the play for the Black Bears, as he got the puck to Abbott to start the play.

The River Hawks had a great chance to tie the game 5:40 into the third period, but Darling made a great save to preserve the 2-1 lead.

Maine got an insurance goal when House scored his second of the night at 17:04 off a shot in transition from the left face-off circle. Brian Flynn made the pass up to House in theneutral zone. Will O’Neill also assisted.

Darling made 27 saves.

The Black Bears return to action tonight when they host St. Lawrence at Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland. Tickets remain for the game and can be purchased at the door.

Women’s basketball

ORONO – The University of Maine rallied from a six-point halftime deficit Friday but lost 61-59 to Holy Cross in the Dead River Company Classic.

Corinne Wellington had her first career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds for Maine (1-3). Kristin Baker added 15 points, Samantha Wheeler had 12 and Amanda Tewksbury chipped in 10.

Bethany O’Dell  topped the Crusaders (3-3) with 17 points. Whitney Fremeau contributed 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Black Bears jumped out to an early 15-5 lead courtesy of seven points from Wellington in the first eight minutes.

Holy Cross ended the first half on a run and took a 33-27 lead into halftime.

Wheeler made two free throws, and a steal by Katelyn Vanderhoff gave Maine the ball and a 54-53 lead with under four minutes to play.

Baker made a nice drive to the basket, but was called for an offensive foul and Holy Cross converted on the other end to take a two-point lead.

On the ensuing Black Bear possession, Vanderhoff found Wellington in the post for a layup to tie the game.

The Crusaders took a one-point lead with 38 seconds left, and Vanderhoff just missed on her 3-point shot. The Crusaders grabbed the rebound, got fouled and Meredith Ward missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Holy Cross corralled the ball and called timeout with seven seconds left.

Maine committed a foul with just over six seconds left, and Vanderhoff’s attempt at the game-winning 3-pointer just missed at the buzzer.

The Black Bears play at noon Saturday against Buffalo in the consolation game.