Girls' Basketball Upset at Home

After losing only two games during the regular season, the fourth-seeded girls’ basketball team was bounced in the first round of the Division 1 North sectional by No. 13 Lowell, 56-49, Wednesday night at home.

The Tanners, which finish the season 18-3, committed a number of unforced turnovers on traveling violations and were unable to find an offensive rhythm against Lowell’s three-two zone.

“When you turn the ball over and don’t make shots, it’s tough to win,” Woburn coach Steve Sullivan said after the game.

Lowell’s 6-foot-1 center, Tess Cigliano, created problems for Woburn at both ends of the floor. The senior captain had 19 points and nine rebounds, and she clogged the lane on defense and jumped out at Woburn’s shooters.

“[Lowell] played very well,” Sullivan said. “I give them a lot of credit.”

Lowell (9-8), of the Merrimack Valley Conference, advances to play the winner of tonight’s game between No. 5 Acton-Boxborough and No. 12 Billerica in the quarterfinals Saturday.

Despite the turnovers and missed opportunities, the Tanners were only down two, 37-35, heading into the fourth quarter.

Senior Gabby Parker netted six three-pointers for 15 points through the first three quarters in what would be her last game in a Woburn uniform. She kept Woburn close, but the Tanners were never able to keep it going for extended periods of time.

“We couldn’t get over the hump, couldn’t make a run,” Sullivan said.

Natalie McGuire also had 15 points for the Tanners. Known more for her defense and rebounding, the senior center went 11-12 from the free-throw line.

Woburn kept the game within five, at 49-44, with just under two minutes to play. However, after missing four free throws in a row, Lowell’s Kaitlyn Bryan (17 points) hit her next six to seal the win.

Lowell outscored Woburn 19-14 in the fourth quarter.

Woburn’s Katy Knight had nine points, Danielle Perkins four, Erin Marshall and Katie Esquilin three.

Lowell’s Trisha Luis had 11 points.

Woburn loses Parker, McGuire, Perkins and Paige Carbone to graduation.

“We’re going to miss those seniors tremendously (next season), both for their leadership on and off the court,” Sullivan said. “Our underclassmen coming back have to take what we started this year and improve in the offseason, take the next step and get better.”

Woburn returns junior starters Marshall, Knight and Shannon Maguire, as well as three key bench players in sophomores Esquilin and Taylor Pacheco and freshman Leanne DiMauro.