Friday, December 18 at Central Connecticut State(7 p.m.)
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Sunday, December 20 at No. 25 Connecticut (4 p.m.)
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Radio:
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Talent: Nick Anastos (Play-by-Play), Jim Borodawka (Analyst)

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team opens a four-game road trip, its longest of the 2015-16 season, at Central Connecticut State on Friday, December 18 beginning at 7 p.m. The squad then plays once more before the holiday break, visiting No. 25 Connecticut on Sunday, Dec. 20 for a 4 p.m. tilt.

LAST TIME OUT
Senior DJ Mlachnik scored a season-high 13 points off the bench, as UMass Lowell dropped an 80-60 decision against Boston University on Thursday evening, Dec. 10, at the Tsongas Center. Mlachnik notched three, three-pointers in the effort for a season best. Redshirt sophomore Jahad Thomas added to the offense with eight points and eight rebounds, while sophomore Matt Harris chipped in with eight points, as well. The Terriers used 17 unanswered points in first half to create a double-digit margin that the River Hawks were unable to overcome.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Through nine games in 2015-16, Isaac White leads the squad with 11.6 points. He is also first on the squad from beyond the arc, shooting 46.7 percent (21-45), and adds 11 steals so far. Jahad Thomas follows with 10.7 points per game, in addition to averaging team bests with 7.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Ryan Jones and junior Tyler Livingston chip in with 9.0 and 8.8 points, respectively. In addition, freshman Keith Hayes II is pacing the team from the foul line, shooting at a clip of 81.8 percent (27-33). As a whole, UMass Lowell is shooting 43.0 percent (238-554) from the floor, 36.4 percent (76-209) from beyond the arc and 71.9 percent (110-153) on free throws.

SCOUTING CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE
Central Connecticut State enters Friday's contest looking to snatch its first win of the season, as the squad currently sits at 0-8. The Blue Devils fell twice on the road last week, dropping an 86-54 decision at Fordham on Dec. 5 and a 75-59 decision to Rutgers on Dec. 8. Junior Khalen Cumberlander is headlining the squad, averaging 14.4 points, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Senior Brandon Peel and freshman Malik Topping are averaging 1.3 blocks apiece, while Peel is also pulling in 8.8 rebounds per game to lead the team. As a team, Central Connecticut State is putting up 65.9 points per game, while shooting 38.7 percent (196-506) from the field, including 29.8 percent (45-151) from long range. The Blue Devils are averaging 38.3 boards and 4.1 blocks, and have totaled 37 steals so far this season.

SCOUTING #25 CONNECTICUT
Nationally ranked at No. 25, UConn comes into Sunday's contest with a 6-3 overall record after splitting a pair of decisions last week. The Huskies fell, 76-66, to No. 6 Maryland on Dec. 8, but bounced back to top Ohio State, 75-55, on Dec. 12. Redshirt junior Rodney Purvis and sophomore Daniel Hamilton are averaging 13.7 and 13.3 points, respectively, to lead the team. Hamilton is also first on the squad with 8.2 rebounds per game, and adds 10 blocks and 47 assists on the year, as well. As a team, the Huskies are putting up 79.0 points per game, while shooting 49.1 percent (266-542) from the field, including 36.1 percent (65-180) from downtown. UConn is also pulling in 38.9 boards per game.

SERIES HISTORY
The River Hawks and the Blue Devils are squaring off for the 10th time on Friday, but for the first time as Division I opponents. CCSU owns a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series, although the teams have not faced off since February 23, 1985 (CCSU, 81-64). Sunday's contest marks the first meeting ever between UMass Lowell and Connecticut in the sport of men's basketball.

STEALING THE SHOW
The River Hawks posted 15 steals against Sacred Heart on Nov. 18, while forcing 25 turnovers. In that outing, the squad was led by Mark Cornelius, who logged a career-high with five takeaways. The team as a whole is second in the America East with 7.3 steals per game, while individually Isaac White is tied for sixth in the league with 1.2.

A THREAT ON THREES
UMass Lowell is strong from beyond the arc for the second straight season. The team, who posted a season-high 12 threes at NJIT on Dec. 5, currently sits second in the America East for 3FG percentage (36.4) and 3FGs made (8.4). Through nine games, Isaac White paces the squad with 21 three-pointers (46.7%).

HELPING HANDS
On Nov. 24 against Wheelock, UMass Lowell recorded 25 assists as a team for the first time since 2009, when the team posted 32 against Division II Mercy (11/15/09). Jahad Thomas  logged a single-game high for the team this year with seven helpers at Boston College on Dec. 6. As a whole, the River Hawks are second in their league with 14.0 assists per game.

ROAD WARRIORS
The River Hawks play 17 of their 29 games in 2015-16 away from friendly confines. After playing three road games in four days from Dec. 3-6, the team's longest trip of the year will be four straight games from December 18-30. The team has accumulated an 82-97 road record since 2003-04.

EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES
Having such a young team means everyone has to play a role. So far this season, the bench has been pivotal, outscoring their opponent, 285-181. In addition, the team has already logged five games with at least four double-digit scorers this year.

SWEET SPOT
As a unit, UMass Lowell has found its groove at the foul line this year. The team is currently ranked second in the America East, shooting 71.9 percent on free throws. Keith Hayes II paces the squad from the charity stripe (81.8%).

BOUNCING BACK
The River Hawks have been quick to respond after a loss so far this year. The team owns a 3-1 record after a loss in 2015-16.

CHANGING IDENTITY
Following the high-scoring thriller against Sacred Heart on Nov. 18, Coach Duquette commented that this year's team has a bit of a different identity from his teams in the past because they have the ability to score a lot of points, although his teams are typically defensive oriented. So far this season, the River Hawks are averaging 73.6 points per game, compared to 61.4 points in 2014-15.