HADLEY, Mass. (Interstat) — The Massachusetts women’s basketball team remained undefeated Tuesday night, using a dominant first quarter to overwhelm Massachusetts-Lowell 85-45 at the Mullins Center.

The Minutemen, now 4-0, exploded for 34 points in the opening period while holding the visiting River Hawks to just 15, setting a commanding tone from which Massachusetts-Lowell never recovered. The River Hawks fell to 2-2 with the loss.

Ayanna Franks led all scorers with 20 points for Massachusetts. The junior guard from Windsor, Connecticut, added two blocks and two steals in 29 minutes of action. She was instrumental in the first-quarter surge, scoring from all levels as the Minutemen built an insurmountable lead.

Yahmani McKayle, a guard from Queens, New York, facilitated the offense with 15 points and a game-high six assists. The Minutemen’s offensive attack was balanced, with Megan Olbrys of Norwood, Massachusetts, contributing 10 points and Allie Palmieri of Trumbull, Connecticut, adding nine points, five assists and a block.

Massachusetts-Lowell struggled to find consistent offense against the Minutemen’s defense. Jaini Edmonds of Worcester, Massachusetts, was the lone River Hawk in double figures, finishing with 11 points. The team managed just eight points in the second quarter and was held to 45 points total for the game.

After the initial 34-15 quarter, Massachusetts extended its lead to 57-23 by halftime. The Minutemen’s defense continued to stifle the River Hawks in the second half, allowing just 22 points over the final 20 minutes to secure the 40-point victory.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 885. Massachusetts will look to continue its perfect start when it hosts Boston College on Saturday. Massachusetts-Lowell will try to rebound on the road at Boston University, also on Saturday.