Senior Dipanjot Singh (Evanston, Ill.) erupted for a career-high 26 points - 22 in the first half - as UMass Lowell defeated the University of New Haven, 80-54, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball tilt at the Costello Athletic Center.

The victory, which capped its Alumni Weekend, was UMass Lowell's fifth straight and eighth in nine games as it improved to 14-5 overall and 10-5 in the NE-10 entering Tuesday night's home clash against Saint Michael's (7:30).

The River Hawks currently share second place in the standings with Bentley, an 80-75 winner over Southern Connecticut at home.

The men's basketball alumni game, played earlier Saturday afternoon, was dedicated and renamed after former UMass Lowell guard B.J. Romanoski (1998-02), who passed away in November. Romanoski's family, as well as, more than 20 friends and relatives, attended the game.

"Today we honored B.J. in grand fashion," said head coach Greg Herenda. "I am just so happy for the entire Romanoski family.

"And what can you say about Dipanjot?" he added. "He played the perfect half."

With the loss, New Haven slipped to 13-6 overall and 9-6 in the Conference.

Singh came off the bench shortly into the first half and meshed his first nine field goals to lead UMass Lowell to a 51-25 lead at the break. He hit all three 3-point attempts as well as 5 of 6 free throws while grabbing four rebounds.

Senior John Corbacio (Stoney Creek, Ont.) scored a career-high 14 points as he shot 5-6 from the floor and 4-5 from 3-point range.

"Last but not least, John Corbacio was great and I was so happy for him," Herenda noted. "He has been there from day one with me and I just love the young man."

New Haven was led by freshman G Eric Anderson, who scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds; and sophomore G Jeffrey Adkins, who had 10 points and dished four assists.

UMass Lowell enjoyed one of its best shooting performances this season as it collectively shot .604 (29-48), including .645 in the first half (20-31). New Haven struggled to a .333 clip (17-51), shooting 7-20 in the first half.

Led by Singh and Corbacio, the River Hawks were also on target from long range, hitting 10-16 of their 3-point attempts, while New Haven shot 5-20.

Turnovers were even at 14-14, but it was UMass Lowell which capitalized as it outscored New Haven 25-14 off turnovers. The River Hawk bench also outscored New Haven's 45-22.

UMass Lowell opened the game with a 27-8 run and never looked back, led by Singh, who scored 14 of his points in the run.

The River Hawks kept up the pressure in the second half and never let the Chargers within 24 points the rest of the way, leading by as many as 32 (77-45) with 3:51 left to play on free throws by senior G Robbie Walton (South Boston, Mass.).