Feb. 6, 2010

Box Score

For the second consecutive game, UMass Lowell staged an improbable comeback on its home court at Costello Gymnasium. After a come-from-behind victory on Wednesday, the River Hawks’ fate was less favorable in a 68-60 loss to Stonehill in Northeast-10 action on Saturday afternoon.

The Skyhawks held the 33-24 advantage entering halftime and built the lead up to as much as 22 points midway through the second half (52-30), the River Hawks brought the game within two (59-57) on a pair of Kyle Caiola (Parma, OH) free throws with 1:48 remaining in regulation.

During the eight minute span, the River Hawks went on a 27-7 stretch that included a 17-0 UMass Lowell run in four minutes. The comeback was highlighted by seven points from Caiola, a Max Kerman (Watertown, MA) three-pointer and three points from Ali Kanaan (Montreal, Que.).

Despite narrowing the gap down the stretch, though, UMass Lowell was never able to tie the game, eventually falling to the Skyhawks by an eight point deficit.

“When you’re playing the best team in the league, you can’t afford to dig a hole like that,” head coach Greg Herenda said. “We peaked out of the hole but never got out of it.”

Caiola finished the night with 19 points (15 second half), going a perfect 10-10 from the line and 4-7 from the floor. He grabbed three rebounds and four assists on the afternoon. Right behind him, Kerman had a season-best 18 point effort, as he went 6-11 from the floor and had five boards, all on the offensive glass. The junior also tallied two blocks, three steals and a pair of assists in the game.

Senior Kanaan led UMass Lowell with eight boards, also notching four blocks and contributing six points in the losing effort.

The UMass Lowell bench outscored the Skyhawks’ 17-14, led by Romeo Diaz (Methuen, MA), who tallied 11 for the River Hawks, going 4-8 from the floor and grabbing three rebounds.

The Skyhawks outrebounded UMass Lowell 38-24 in the contest, but UMass Lowell had the 15-11 advantage in second chance points. UMass Lowell held a slight advantage, but the teams were nearly even in turnovers (UMass Lowell 21, Stonehill 22) and steals (UMass Lowell 13, Stonehill 12).

“Stonehill played very good defense and we never were able establish any sort of offensive identity today,” Herenda said.

The Skyhawks were led by Randall Stallworth’s 21 points and Patrick Lee’s nine boards. A.J. Rudowitz also contributed 14 points and six rebounds in the victory.

With the loss, the River Hawks stand at 14-8 (11-6 NE-10) on the year, while the Skyhawks improve to 18-4 (15-2 NE-10). UMass Lowell looks to bounce back, hitting the road for a tilt at Southern New Hampshire at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening in Manchester, N.H.