Jan. 24, 2009

Box Score

LOWELL (Jan. 24, 2009) - Junior F Victor Colon (Chicago, IL) scored 19 of his game-high 20 points in the first half to lead UMass Lowell over Franklin Pierce, 66-49, Saturday in a Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball tilt at the Costello Athletic Center.

The victory was the 12th straight for the River Hawks - two short of tying the school record - as they improved to 16-3 overall and 11-3 in the NE-10 entering next Saturday's home clash against Southern New Hampshire (4:00).

The victory also marked the sixth time this season the River Hawks held an opponent under 50 points.

"Our defensive intensity early dictated the game and Victor Colon was huge in the first half," said UML Head Coach Greg Herenda. "But again it was a total team effort on both sides of the ball. Winning 12 straight games in this conference is a testament to our kids' work ethic and toughness."

Franklin Pierce slipped to 9-8 overall (6-6 in the Conference) and visits Southern New Hampshire Wednesday at 7:30. Colon also grabbed 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season while junior G Craig Heatherly (Mishawaka, IN) added 11 points, six rebounds and three assists. Junior G Kevin Carr (Lancaster, OH) chipped in nine points, six assists and five steals.

Junior G Marcus Wellman (Monroe, CT) came off the bench to lead the Ravens with 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.

UMass Lowell forced the Ravens to commit 22 turnovers (opposed to 11) and mounted a 28-6 advantage in points off miscues and a 17-4 advantage in steals.

The River Hawks led 38-22 at the break and shot .516 in the first half (16-31) while Franklin Pierce struggled to a .333 clip (7-21).

UMass Lowell leaped to a 26-11 lead 12 minutes into the game as Colon led the way with 12 points and junior C Ali Kanaan (Montreal, QUE) six points. The River Hawks stretched the lead to 35-15 on a layup by freshman G Kyle Caiola (Parma, OH) with 3:05 left.

"I could not be prouder with our overall effort today," Herenda noted. "We beat a team that just won five out of six and beat a very good Assumption team. Now we can rest and get ready for next week."

In the second half, UMass Lowell led by as many as 23 (58-35) with 7:26 left to play and never let the Ravens within 17 points the remainder of the game.