Box Score

Junior G Akeem Williams (Brockton, Mass.) led the River Hawks with 24 points and four assists as UMass Lowell defeated No. 16 Assumption, 86-77, in a conference game at the Costello Athletic Center on Saturday night.
 
The win brings UMass Lowell to 12-5 overall and 8-5 in conference play. The River Hawks are back in action on Wednesday, January 30 when they host Saint Rose (7:30).
 
Assumption falls to 13-4 overall on the season and 10-3 in the Northeast-10. The Greyhounds will travel to Saint Michael's on Tuesday, January 29 (7:30).

"That was a hard-fought basketball game by two bvery good teams," said head coach Greg Herenda. "Assumption is ranked 16th in the country for a reason, but my guys battled and played hard for our fans and alums today."
 
UMass Lowell shot well in the first half, taking an 11-point lead with just under six minutes left. The River Hawks shot 64.3% (18-28) in the half, led by Williams' 14 points on 6-10 shooting.
 
UMass Lowell extended its lead to 17 with just seven seconds left in the half when senior F Romeo Diaz finished with a loud dunk off the assist from junior F Antonio Bivins (Miami, Fla.). Diaz finished the game with 13 points and six rebounds. Bivins added 13 points and six boards.
 
However, Assumption was able to gain some momentum heading into halftime when senior F Ronson Quick hit a deep three-pointer to beat the buzzer, trimming the UMass Lowell lead to 14.
 
The Greyhounds would use that momentum to go on an 8-1 run to begin the second half, cutting the UMass Lowell lead to 6. Senior F Tim Beinert's five points led the run for Assumption. Beinert finished with 21 points and six rebounds.
 
UMass Lowell, however, was able to weather the storm, and regain control of the game when sophomore G Chad Holley (New York, N.Y.) knocked down a three and finished a layup with under four minutes left, bringing the UMass Lowell lead back to nine. Holley finished the game with 11 points and five assists.
 
UMass Lowell's bench was able to outscore Assumption's bench, 23-0, including 12 points from freshman F Kennedy Chukwuocha (Willingboro, N.J.).
 
The River Hawks shot 50.9% (27-53) from the floor, while Assumption shot 46.7% (21-45). Both teams were relatively strong from the free throw line, as Assumption outshot UMass Lowell, 77.1% (27-35) to 76.7% (23-30).

"To have our 1988 (NCAA championship) team here was special to me," Herenda added. "It really bridged the gap between when I was here and a young assistant coach to now, a not-so-young head coach. I am very proud and very happy for my 2013 team today."