Box Score
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NEWARK, N.J. – Graduate student Marco Banegas-Flores (Boston, Mass.) recorded a team-high 15 points and freshman Lance Crawford (Davie, Fla.) tallied 14, as the UMass Lowell men's basketball team battled to a 63-61 win at NJIT (1-3) on Saturday.
 
"Just like our last game, we didn't play perfect, but our defense was so good in the half court, we were able to give ourselves a chance to win the game," said Head Coach Pat Duquette. "It was a hard-fought game on both ends that was very physical. Being able to win a couple games early and still learn from our mistakes is a great situation to be in."
 
The score was tied six times in the closely-contested outing, and there were eight lead changes. Despite UMass Lowell taking the lead for good and pulling ahead by eight in the final four minutes, it was still a one-point game with seconds to go. With the victory, the River Hawks move to 2-2 so far this season, improving on its best start as a Division I program.
 
Banegas-Flores made a career-high three, three-point field goals in the decision. Redshirt-freshman Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.) pulled down a game- and season-best 13 rebounds, as well.
 
UMass Lowell won the opening tip for the first time this season, although NJIT jumped out to a 10-6 advantage with just over 13 minutes remaining in the first half. The River Hawks would not stay behind for long, however, as Thomas hit a layup that sparked a 10-2 run, giving the visitors a 16-12 advantage at 10:38.
 
The River Hawks maintained at least a two-point margin until the Highlanders scored nine in a row to regain the upper hand at 23-18 with 5:47 to go in the period. In the waning minutes, Crawford converted on a pair of free throws and dribbled in for a layup to make it a one-possession game, but NJIT held on to take a slight, 25-23 edge into the break.
 
Banegas-Flores drained a pair of threes from the corner in the first minutes of the second half to keep the River Hawks within two points of the lead at 33-31. UMass Lowell then pulled back in front, 39-36, thanks to back-to-back, three-point jumpers from sophomore Tyler Livingston (Hudson, N.H.). The Highlanders knotted the score twice before a pair of steals by Livingston and one by senior Chad Holley (New York, N.Y.) helped Crawford score six straight points, giving UMass Lowell a 47-41 lead with 10:24 to play.
 
The battle continued, as NJIT used a six-point spurt to erase the difference, but redshirt-senior Kerry Weldon (New York, N.Y.) gave UMass Lowell the lead for good, and Banegas-Flores buried a pull-up jumper and a three to give visitors their largest lead of the day at 56-48 with 3:57 left to go. The Highlanders would not go quietly, though, pulling within one three more times, including at 62-61 following a three by Damon Lynn with just 12 seconds left, but Banegas-Flores converted on a free throw before NJIT missed an opportunity, sealing the 63-61 decision.
 
Livingston rounded out the double-digit scorers for the River Hawks with 10 points. Weldon, who added nine points, registered a career-high five steals. Holley led the squad with six assists, as well. As a team, UMass Lowell shot 38.2% (21-55) from the floor, including 33.3% (7-21) from beyond the arc.
 
Lynn notched a game-high 20 points to pace the Highlanders, while Ky Howard added 12 boards. As a whole, NJIT shot 45.5% (20-44) from the field, 42.9% (9-21) from three-point territory and 80.0% (12-15) from the foul line.
 
Saturday's contest marked the fourth meeting ever between UMass Lowell and NJIT. The all-time series is now tied at 2-2. The River Hawks wrap up their five-game road swing with their third game of the week tomorrow, Sunday, November 23, at Fordham University beginning at 2 p.m.
 
"We're going to make sure our guys get some rest tonight before we play Fordham tomorrow night," concluded Duquette. "Pulling off that win would be a great way to end our road trip."