Jan. 29, 2011 Box Score

The UMass Lowell men's basketball team put forth a strong defensive and offensively sound effort in Saturday' Northeast-10 Conference game against the Southern Connecticut Owls. Forcing 29 turnovers and enjoying four scoring in double-figures, UMass Lowell was rewarded for its well-balanced performance with a 83-54 victory.

The win makes it three in a row for the River Hawks who now stand at 13-6 overall with a 9-6 mark in conference action. Southern Connecticut falls to 10-9 on the year and 7-8 in NE-10 play.

"It all starts with our defense," said Head Coach Greg Herenda. "Our defense dictated our offense, it dictated our tempo. That's how we're built."

Veterans Romeo Diaz (Methuen, Mass.) and Robbie Walton (South Boston, Mass.) were prime examples of the well-rounded showing, as Diaz finished the game with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Walton contributed 15 points, going 5-0 from the floor and added seven assists, six rebounds and five steals on the day.

The River Hawks broke it open in the first with a 12-2 run that brought it from a six point game to a 29-13 UMass Lowell advantage. The run was highlighted by five points from both Matt Welch (Lowell, Mass.) and Akeem Williams (Brockton, Mass.). The squad held onto the 16-point advantage into the break.

In the second, with the Owls a comfortable distance away, UMass Lowell grew its lead into the 20s by the midway point of the half. Leading 64-44 with 7:20 remaining in the game, the River Hawks held the Owls without a point for the next two minutes, going on an 8-0 run to pull ahead by 28.

UMass Lowell enjoyed as much as a 31-point lead in the final minutes of play after freshman Kerry Weldon (New York, N.Y.) hit a jumper with 1:13 to go, as the River Hawks held on for the 83-54 victory.

In addition to Diaz and Walton's performances, Williams led the team with 19 points, adding three rebounds a pair of assists, as well. Welch netted 13 points and led the squad with seven rebounds, including three on the offensive glass.

Weldon finished the day with seven points and three steals, while classmate Chris Thompson (Florence, N.J.) had eight points, a personal-best, adding a pair of rebounds and steals.

Junior John Corbacio (Stoney Creek, Ont.) grabbed four rebounds on the day, while Heman Honore (Methuen, Mass.) had a pair of blocks in the game.

"Today was the first game that we played 40 minutes and if we play 40 minutes of defense and rebound the ball, we know we've got guys that can score," said Herenda.

Southern Connecticut was led by forward Trevon Hamlet with 16 points and eight rebounds, a team-high in both categories.

With UMass Lowell forcing 29 Owl turnovers, the River Hawks were able to capitalize on the opportunities they created and outscore their opponent 26-9 off the Southern Connecticut miscues.

The River Hawks also held the 34-20 advantage in the paint in the game. They shot 42.9% in the game (27-63) and held Southern Connecticut to just nine field goals in both halves.

Next up, the River Hawks will travel to Colchester, Vt. to take on the Purple Knights of Saint Michael's College at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2.