Sophomore G Akeem Williams (Brockton, Mass.) scored 18 points while junior F Matt Welch (Lowell, Mass.) added 16 to lead UMass Lowell over American International College, 74-58, Tuesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball clash at the Costello Athletic Center.

The win was UMass Lowell's second straight and fourth in five games as it improved to 8-4 overall and 4-4 in the NE-10 entering Saturday's game at Southern Connecticut (3:30).

The loss was the third straight for AIC, which slipped to 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the Conference.

The win also marked the sixth time this season - and third time in four games - that UMass Lowell collectively shot better than .500. The River Hawks converted 28 of 54 field goal attempts (.519), including 13 of 24 in the second half (.542).

AIC struggled to a .250 clip in the first half (5-20), but improved to .500 in the second half (14-28) and shot .396 for the game.

"Our first half defensive effort was special," said head coach Greg Herenda. "We were there on every catch and it is a testament to how hard our guys have been working every day on the defensive end."

Williams converted 7 of 13 field goal attempts and dished out four assists while Welch shot 6-10 from the field (3-4 from 3-point range) and blocked three shots.

Sophomore F Antonio Bivins (Miami, Fla.) came off the bench to score 15 points and grab six rebounds while shooting 6-8 from the field in 19 minutes. Senior G Dipanjot Singh (Evanston, Ill.) chipped in 10 points, six assists and four rebounds off the bench.

"Once again Matt and Akeem have been so steady on the offensive end," Herenda added. "And tonight Antonio and Kerry (Weldon, sophmore forward) had some monster finishes on the rim. To shoot over 50 percent against an AIC team is quite an accomplishment."

Sophomore G Spencer Braithwaite led AIC with 26 points and four assists as he shot 10-17 from the field.

UMass Lowell forced the Yellow Jackets into 19 turnovers while committing 14, enabling it to post a 32-18 lead on points off turnovers. The River Hawks also outscored AIC from 3-point range, 21-12.

UMass Lowell opened the game with a 24-7 run and led 41-19 at the break. Welch spurred the run with a pair of treys while Williams and senior G Robbie Walton (South Boston, Mass.) added five points each.

The River Hawks stretched their lead to 24 (52-28) in the opening minutes of the second half. AIC chipped away and cut the lead to 69-56 with 3:19 remaining on the 3-popinter by Braithwaite, but the Yellow Jackets could muster no closer.