Saturday, December 5 at NJIT (3 p.m.)
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Sunday, December 6 at Boston College (2 p.m.)
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Radio:
River Hawk Radio Network
Saturday - 900, 1250, 1590 AM
Talent: Nick Anastos (Play-by-Play)

Sunday - 900, 1250 AM
Talent: Nick Anastos (Play-by-Play), Jim Borodawka (Analyst)

NEWARK, N.J. - The UMass Lowell men's basketall team is set to close out its three-game road trip with back-to-back games this weekend. The River Hawks, who are currently 3-3 on the young season, visit NJIT for a 3 p.m.tilt on Saturday, December 5 before finishing the week with a 2 p.m. contest at Boston College on Sunday, Dec. 6. Both games are scheduled to be streamed live on ESPN3.  

LAST TIME OUT
Freshman Keith Hayes II scored a game- and season-high 20 points to pace UMass Lowell in an 84-72 loss at LIU Brooklyn on Thursday, December 3. UMass Lowell trailed by just seven with less than eight minutes to go in the outing, but the Blackbirds outscored the visitors, 17-12, in the final minutes en route to the decision. Hayes went a personal-best 9-for-10 from the foul line on the night to lead four double-digit scorers for the River Hawks. Junior Tyler Livingston chipped in with 12 points, while freshmen Ryan Jones and Isaac White (Ashland, Ohio) totaled 10 points apiece. Senior Mark Cornelius notched a team-high four assists, as well.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Through six games in 2015-16, Jahad Thomas leads the squad with 11.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, as well as 16 assists. Isaac White, who adds to the offense with a team-best 11 three-pointers, and Keith Hayes II, who paces the squad from the charity stripe (81.8%), are also averaging double-digits with 11.3 and 10.3 points apiece, respectively. Ryan Jones adds 9.0 points per game, while senior Mark Cornelius chips in with eight steals. In addition, Dontavious Smith has recorded five blocks so far. As a whole, UMass Lowell is shooting 43.7 percent (163-373) from the floor, 38.0 percent (49-129) from beyond the arc and 74.5 percent (82-110) on free throws.

SCOUTING NJIT
The Highlanders enter the contest at 4-3 after splitting a pair of decisions last week. NJIT fell in a close, 74-73 battle against Albany on Nov. 27, but bounced back to end the week with an 89-60 win against Maine-Fort-Kent on Nov. 29. Junior Damon Lynn is leading the offense, putting up 19.4 points per game, while shooting 41.4 percent from downtown, in addition to sitting second on the team with 19 assists. Classmate Tim Coleman has snatched a team-best 6.4 rebounds per game with four blocks so far in 2015. As a team, NJIT is connecting on 42.7 percent (176-412) of its shots from the field and 38.6 percent (64-166) from long range. The Highlanders are pulling down 34.1 rebounds and 7.6 steals per game, as well.

SCOUTING BOSTON COLLEGE
The Eagles enter Sunday's contest at 3-4 after dropping a pair of decisions last week. Boston College was topped, 62-45, at Santa Clara on Nov. 29, before falling to Penn State, 67-58, back home on Dec. 2. Graduate student Eli Carter leads the offense with 16.4 points per game and 26 assists through the team's first seven games. Freshman Jerome Robinson is second on the team, averaging 10.7 points and 23 assists, while leading the squad with eight steals. Junior Dennis Clifford is bringing down 6.9 boards per game, in addition to averaging 9.4 points. As a unit, the Eagles are shooting 42 percent (163-388) from the field, including 34.4 percent (52-151) from downtown, and snatching 33.4 rebounds per game so far in 2015.

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's contest marks the sixth meeting between UMass Lowell and NJIT in the sport of men's basketball. Last season, the River Hawks swept a home-and-home series against the Highlanders, including a 71-67 victory in Lowell on Dec. 3. Sunday's game will be just the third time ever UMass Lowell has squared off against Boston College after the Eagles earned wins in the previous two meetings, including a 70-47 decision on Dec. 29, 2014.

STEALING THE SHOW
The River Hawks posted 15 steals against Sacred Heart on Nov. 18, while forcing 25 turnovers. The squad was led by Mark Cornelius, who logged a career-high with five takeaways. He is currently sixth in the America East with 1.3 steals per game, while the team as a whole sits in first with 8.5 per game.

A THREAT ON THREES
UMass Lowell is strong from beyond the arc for the second straight season. The team is currently leading the America East for 3FG percentage (38.0) and is second for 3FGs made (8.2). Through six games, Isaac White paces the squad with 13 three-pointers.

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). Isaac White logged a single-game high with six helpers in the
Wheelock contest. As a whole, the River Hawks sit second in the America East with 14.3 assists per game.

ROAD WARRIORS
The River Hawks strive once again to be a good road team with 17 of their 29 games in 2015-16 scheduled to be played away from friendly confines. The team's longest road swing of the year will be four straight games from December 18-30. The team has accumulated an 81-96 road record since 2003-04.

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 74.5 percent on free throws.

HOARDING THE BOARDS
With some more size in the lineup this year, the River Hawks are focusing on pulling down more rebounds. In the team's win against Cornell on Nov. 29, the squad grabbed a season-high 46 boards, a number they beat just once in 2014-15. UMass Lowell is averaging 36.5 rebounds per game compared to 28.9 rebounds last year.

EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES
Having such a young team means everyone has to play a role. So far this season, 10 different players have seen action in all six games and the bench has been pivotal, outscoring their opponent, 207-117. In addition, the team has already logged four games with at least four double-digit scorers this year.