Feb. 19, 2011

Box Score

In an emotionally-charged Northeast-10 Conference clash, the UMass Lowell River Hawks walked away with a hard-fought, 88-75 win over the Saint Anselm Hawks on Saturday afternoon in Lowell. Junior guard Robbie Walton (South Boston, Mass.) netted a career-high 19 points in the battle, while the River Hawk bench rallied for 52 on the day.

With the win, the River Hawks stand equal with the Hawks, as both teams are 17-8 overall with a 13-8 mark in NE-10 play. They split the season series, each winning on their home turf and both squads enter the last game of the regular season tied for fifth place in the NE-10.

"We just defended and made it very uncomfortable," said Head Coach Greg Herenda. "They're a very good offensive basketball team and we stopped them and then we converted. It was a pivotal game for a lot of reasons, but just to beat Saint Anselm after they beat us pretty thoroughly up there last time, that helps us in the league and in our quest for postseason play."

Saint Anselm bolted to a 9-0 lead at the start of the game, holding the River Hawks without a field goal for the first seven minutes of the contest. The River Hawks eventually got on the board with a pair of free throws from Walton, but stretched the lead to a 15-2 advantage six minutes into the game.

UMass Lowell responded with a 13-0 run, capped by a three from rookie Akeem Williams (Brockton, Mass.) that tied the game at 15 apiece midway through the first stanza.

The squad captured its first lead of the game, 21-20, just over three minutes later and continued on an 18-1 run for the final 6:37 of the first frame. UMass Lowell held Saint Anselm without a field goal for the final 8:03 of the first half. Williams went on to hit a jumper at the buzzer to help the River Hawks take an 18-point advantage into the break.

At the start of the second, UMass Lowell stretched its lead to 23 just over three minutes into the half thanks to another three from Williams, but the Hawks would not go away. They closed the gap back within 10 with 6:40 remaining in regulation on a pair of free throws by James Morse.

The Hawks' sophomore guard went on to shrink the River Hawk lead to single-digits with a tip-in at the six minute mark, making it a 68-59 ballgame. The Hawks would not inch any closer, though, as UMass Lowell held on for the 13-point, 88-75 win.

Williams finished the game with 21 points off the bench, seven assists and five rebounds, while Walton added five rebounds, four assists and as many steals on the day.

"Robbie just gives everything he's got," said Herenda. "When you work hard, it pays off and you get what you deserve. Today, Robbie got what he deserved."

Also in double-figures for the River Hawks were Antonio Bivins (Miami, Fla.) with 15 points and Heman Honore (Medford, Mass.) with 10, both off the bench.

Sophomore Romeo Diaz (Methuen, Mass.) chipped in eight points while classmate Matt Welch (Lowell, Mass.) had six points and team-high six rebounds.

Saint Anselm was led by conference scoring-leader Thomas Baudinet with a game-high 23 points and six boards. Jack Keough also grabbed six rebounds and finished the game with 15 points.

UMass Lowell forced 25 Hawk turnovers, committing 16 of their own, capitalizing by owning the 35-21 scoring advantage off turnovers. Although the River Hawks owned the slight, 41-37 advantage on the glass, Saint Anselm outscored them 16-12 in second chance points.

The River Hawks will close the regular season by hosting the Ravens of Franklin Pierce on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.