Jan. 5, 2011

The Assumption Greyhounds pulled ahead in the final minutes of a double overtime battle to defeat the UMass Lowell River Hawk men's basketball team, 94-86, in Northeast-10 action at Costello Athletic Center on Wednesday night. Freshman Antonio Bivins (Miami, Fla.) recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but it was not enough to lift team to victory.

Bivins added six steals and a pair of blocks in the game, while classmate Akeem Williams (Brockton, Mass.) tallied a game-best 24 points, adding seven steals, four boards and three assists on the night.

"That was a hard-fought game. We just kept battling and battling, but Assumption just came ready to play," said Head Coach Greg Herenda. "Assumption separated themselves early in the game and then we had to fight from behind. It was Assumption's night and we were just trying to steal it away from them and we just couldn't do it. But it took 50 minutes to beat us - we kept on fighting."

UMass Lowell fell early on and didn't tie the game until it was 19 points apiece thanks to a Williams layup with just under eight minutes remaining in the first half. The visitors pulled ahead again, though, leading by as many as 11 in the first frame, but Williams closed the gap to a manageable nine points (39-30) with just two seconds left in the half.

The Greyhound lead grew to 14 after a pair of fouls were called on UMass Lowell with 12:06 remaining in regulation, as Assumption's Mike Baldarelli converted four consecutive free throws. UMass Lowell then enjoyed a 21-6 run over the next 6:30 to give them their first lead of the game, a one-point advantage (60-59), on a layup by sophomore Romeo Diaz (Methuen, Mass.). The streak was highlighted by nine points from Williams.

Although UMass Lowell was ahead by two on a Bivins layup with 2:38 left in the second half, a layup from Assumption's Bobby Harris 28 seconds later knotted the score at 66 all and proved to be the last points scored in regulation, sending the game to overtime.

In the first overtime, Assumption led by five midway through the frame, but the River Hawks came back, as Bivins tipped in a missed layup with seven seconds to go, tying the game at 79 apiece and sending his squad to it's second bonus frame of the night.

The final minutes of the game belonged to the Greyhounds, though, as they capitalized by making 6-7 of their free throws and outscoring the River Hawks 15-7. The teams had nearly even shooting from the floor in the game (Assumption 38.8%, UMass Lowell 38.4%), but the River Hawks were plagued from behind the arc, only sinking 3-30 attempts from long range, while the Greyhounds converted 7-25 attempts.

UMass Lowell forced 27 Assumption turnovers, capitalizing by scoring 32 off the Greyhound miscues. The River Hawks also stole the ball 20 times, compared to just 10 by Assumption.

Assumption owned the 58-51 advantage in rebounds, while the River Hawks outrebounded the Greyhounds 26-22 on the offensive glass and scored 19 points on second chance opportunities.

In addition to Bivins and Williams' contributions, Diaz finished the night with 13 points and eight rebounds. Classmate Matt Welch (Lowell, Mass.) also tallied 13 points and added six rebounds.

Junior Robbie Walton (South Boston, Mass.) chipped in across the board with nine points, eight rebounds, seven assists and a pair of steals in the game.

Assumption had five players score in double figures, led by Tim Beinert's double-double that included 20 points and 16 rebounds. Bobby Harris also recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

"I think luck is a product of diligence and Assumption played hard - they were moving, they were in the right spots," said Herenda. "Defending them, you have to spread the floor, so they were getting lots of long rebounds and they were very good at it tonight. I tip my hat to Assumption."

With the loss, UMass Lowell falls to 8-4 overall and 4-4 in conference action. Assumption evens its season to 7-7 and matches the River Hawks' 4-4 record in NE-10 play. This was the Greyhounds' fourth overtime game of the year and their first overtime victory.

"It's hard to learn from defeat, but it's a necessary evil in college basketball," said Herenda. "And I'm sure our guys will."

Tonight's clash marked the end of a five-game homestand for the River Hawks, as they will hit the road for the first time since Dec. 7 with a conference game at New Haven on Saturday, Jan. 8, at 1:30 p.m.