Feb. 3, 2011

Box Score

The UMass Lowell men's basketball team captured its fourth consecutive victory with a close, 75-71 victory over the Saint Michael's Purple Knights in Colchester, Vt. on Thursday evening. The conference clip marked the sixth straight River Hawk victory over Saint Michael's and completed the season sweep.

With the victory, UMass Lowell improves to 14-6 overall with a 10-6 mark in NE-10 play, while Saint Michael's falls to 8-11 on the year with a 6-9 conference record.

UMass Lowell was led offensively by NE-10 Rookie of the Week Akeem Williams (Brockton, Mass.), who notched 27 points, while sophomore Matt Welch (Lowell, Mass.) tallied 18 points on the evening. Junior John Corbacio (Stoney Creek, Ont.) and sophomore Romeo Diaz (Methuen, Mass.) crashed the glass to lead the squad with eight boards apiece.

"We are only the third team to go up [to Colchester] and win this year and it was not easy," said Head Coach Greg Herenda. "Mike [Harding] has done a great job with his team in a very short period of time. But we just gutted it out tonight."

The first quarter of action was neck-and-neck between the teams but UMass Lowell was able to pull away with six minutes to go in the first, after going on a 7-0 run that brought it from a 20-14 lead to a 13-point advantage at 27-14 with just under four minutes remaining in the stanza. Williams led the charge with five points during the stretch, including one from long range.

The Purple Knights tallied the only two field goals in the final minute of the half, bringing it back within seven points, as the teams entered the locker rooms with a 31-24 River Hawk advantage.

In the second, UMass Lowell kept Saint Michael's at a comfortable, 5-7 point distance for the first five minutes before growing its lead to 12 on a layup by Robbie Walton (South Boston, Mass.) with 13 minutes remaining in regulation. The Purple Knights chipped away, though, never letting the River Hawks lead by more.

With 1:52 remaining in the game, the Purple Knights' Michael Holton, Jr. sank a three to bring his squad back within two points at 68-66. Williams followed up with a layup to cushion the River Hawks, but Holton, Jr. answered by converting a pair of free throws with just over a minute left on the clock.

In the final minute of play, it was UMass Lowell's free throw shooting that held Saint Michael's at bay. Williams made 3-4 from the charity stripe, while Walton sank a pair with 10 seconds to go.

With just four seconds on the clock, Purple Knight sophomore Travis Warech nailed one from behind the arc, but it was not enough to overcome the River Hawks, who picked up their 14th victory of the season.

"Akeem was our go-to guy all night, but I am so happy for Pete Steere," said Herenda. "He came in and really gave us a huge lift when our frontcourt needed it most."

In addition to his 27 points, Williams went 10-12 from the free throw line and grabbed four rebounds. Junior forward Pete Steere (Lancaster, Mass.) notched four points and added a pair of rebounds in the victory, as well.

Welch also grabbed six rebounds and went a perfect 6-6 from the line. Walton was the final River Hawk to score in double figures, chipping in 10 points with four boards and two assists and steals.

Corbacio's eight rebounds were accompanied by six points, a block, steal and an assist. Diaz finished the game with six points on top of his eight rebounds, four of which came on the offensive glass.

The River Hawks outrebounded Saint Michael's 43-29, including a 17-8 advantage on the offensive glass, helping them to outscore their opponent 22-12 in second chance opportunities. UMass Lowell also held a 32-24 advantage in the paint.

"What I am most happy with is how we are practicing every day," said Herenda. "Every player puts it all on the line and it is now translating into victories."

UMass Lowell heads to Easton, Mass. for a conference battle against the Stonehill Skyhawks on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 3:30 p.m. before returning home to Costello Athletic Center on Tuesday, Feb. 8 to host the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire at 7:30 p.m.