Sunday, January 25 vs. Vermont (2 p.m.)
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TV:
ESPN3
Talent: Chris Villani (Play by Play) and Frank Sullivan (Analyst)

Radio:
River Hawk Radio Network: (900AM, 1250AM, WSMN 1590AM)
Talent: Nick Anastos (Play by Play); Jim Borodawka (Analyst)

LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team, who is currently 9-11 overall and 3-4 in America East action, hosts Vermont on Sunday, January 25 in its first of two home games this season in the Tsongas Center. Tipoff for the contest, which will be featured on ESPN3, is slated for 2 p.m.

YOU CAN PLAY
UMass Lowell and the University of Vermont will recognize the You Can Play project, which is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. The America East Conference was the first NCAA conference to partner with the You Can Play project, and support its mission to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete and contribute to their team's success. For more information, you can visit www.YouCanPlayProject.org.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Through 20 games, Jahad Thomas leads the River Hawks with 13.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Graduate student Marco Banegas-Flores and freshman Lance Crawford have added to the offensive effort with 8.6 and 8.5 points, respectively, while senior Chad Holley averages 8.0 points of his own. As a team, UMass Lowell is shooting 41.2% (425-1032) from the floor and 35.1% (146-416) from beyond the arc. The squad is also shooting 66.0% (215-326) from the line.

SCOUTING VERMONT
After dropping their first America East game, 73-68 at New Hampshire, the Catamounts fell to second in the conference at 10-9 overall and 5-1 in league play. Vermont travels to the Tsongas Center with a 3-7 record on the road. Ethan O'Day leads the offense with 11.3 points per game, and is the only scorer in double figures. Trae Bell-Haynes is dishing out a team-high three assists per game, while Dre Wills is averaging 2.6 and a team-high 5.2 rebounds per game. As a unit, the Catamounts are shooting at a 45.8% (430-939) clip from the field, and 34.2% (96-281) from three-point range.

SERIES HISTORY
Sunday's contest marks just the third meeting ever between UMass Lowell and Vermont in the sport of men's basketball. The Catamount earned a pair of wins against the River Hawks last season, including an 83-58 victory on February 12, 2014.  

PLAYING AT TSONGAS 
UMass Lowell, who is 2-3 all-time at the Tsongas Center, is looking for its first Division I win at the arena. The team defeated NE-10 rival Merrimack in 2010 (71-70) and 2011 (68-66) before falling to Duquesne, New Hampshire and Stony Brook there last season.

DOUBLE TROUBLE
The River Hawks are 0-3 so far this year when playing in a doubleheader with the UMass Lowell women's basketball team.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Seven of the squad's nine wins so far have been decided by 10 points or less, including five by seven points or less. The team even trailed in the second half in six games this year before battling back to earn the victories.  

SUPERIOR SUBS
At UMBC on Jan. 7, UMass Lowell's bench players outscored the Retrievers', 51-1, to help the team come back to earn the overtime victory. The River Hawks' reserves have been pivotal this year, outscoring their opponents, 466-330. That's an average of +6.8 points per game.