November 26 vs. LIU Brooklyn (2 p.m.)
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Radio:
River Hawk Radio Network: (900AM WCAP)
Talent: Nick Anastos (Play-by-Play), Matt Langone (Analyst)

TV:
ESPN3
Talent: DJ Sixsmith (Play-by-Play), Jim Borodawka (Analyst)

Twitter: @RiverHawkFH | @RiverHawkNation Tweet #UnitedInBlue

LOWELL, Mass.. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team, who is currently 2-4 overall on the young season, will play its first home game in almost two weeks and first game at the Tsongas Center in 2016-17 when the team faces off against LIU Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon.

LAST TIME OUT
Redshirt-junior Jahad Thomas registered a game- and career-high 19 rebounds and eight assists to lead the UMass Lowell men's basketball team to a 76-71 victory against Mississippi Valley State (0-5) in a neutral-site contest on Tuesday evening. The River Hawks matched a season best with five double-digit scorers, including sophomore Isaac White, who notched a team-high 12 points with four three pointers. Senior Tyler Livingston, junior Matt Harris and sophomore Ryan Jones all chipped in with 11 points, while freshman Cameron Wolter added 10. The River Hawks led by 13 late in the game, but the Delta Devils rallied back with a 12-4 stretch that made it a one-point game with less than two minutes to go. UMass Lowell did not waver, though, scoring eight of the last 11 points to secure the 76-71 decision.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Through six games in 2016-17, Jahad Thomas leads the squad with 13.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, 24 assists and 10 steals. Thomas is one of four River Hawks scoring in double figures this season, as Matt Harris follows closely with 13.5 points, Tyler Livingston adds 11.3, and Isaac White rounds out the bunch with 10.5. Harris is first on the team with 14 three-pointers in 2016-17, in addition to boasting a 96.7 percent clip (29-30) from the line. Isaac White is shooting a team-best 40.6 percent (13-32) from long range. Redshirt-freshman Dontavious Smith totals a team-best four blocks, as well. As a whole, UMass Lowell is shooting 44.5 percent (149-335) from the floor, 37.3 percent (53-142) from beyond the arc and 80.5 percent (124-154) from the foul line.

SCOUTING LIU BROOKLYN
The Blackbirds own a 4-1 record this season after picking up a 71-66 victory against Maine on Nov. 21. The squad won its first three games of the season before facing an 86-69 setback at Boston University on Nov. 20. Jerome Frink paces the team with 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Jashau Agosto and Iverson Fleming add 12.6 and 12.0 points, respectively, as wll. Agosto is also first on the squad with 12 assists so far. LIU is shooting 41 percent (120-287) from the floor and 34 percent (34-98) from three-point range.

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's contest marks just the second meeting ever between UMass Lowell and LIU Brooklyn in the sport of men's basketball. The River Hawks faced a 84-72 setback when the squads first met last season on December 3.

A WIN WOULD
A win against LIU Brooklyn would mark the River Hawks' first ever against the Blackbirds, as Saturday will be just the second meeting between the two teams. It would also improve UMass Lowell's Division I record against Northeast Conference opponents to 4-3, and move the team to 2-0 this season vs. foes from that league. The win would be the River Hawks' second consecutive home win, as well.

SWEET SPOT
UMass Lowell has made the most of its opportunities at the line so far this season. The squad tallied 32 made free throws in the win against Wagner on Nov. 14, marking the most in a single game for the program since Jan. 4, 1995 when the River Hawks totaled 43 against Assumption. The team is currently shooting 80.5 percent (124-154) from the charity stripe, good for first in the America East Conference. Individually, Matt Harris, who was perfect through the first five games of the season, is leading the way for the team with 96.7 percent clip (29-30) on free throws.

REWRITING HISTORY
Jahad Thomas wiped the glass clean vs. Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 22, bringing down a career-high 19 rebounds. His standout performance set a Division I record and marked the most boards in a single game for the program since legend Leo Parent brought down 20 vs. Brandeis on Feb. 8, 1979.

A THREAT ON THREES
UMass Lowell has been strong from beyond the arc in recent years under Duquette's tutelage. The River Hawks are first in the America East right now with a 37.3 percent (53-142) clip from long range this year, including a season-high 12 makes at Fort Wayne, which marked the squad's highest output from three-point territory since Dec. 20, 2015. In this season's opener on Nov. 11 at Massachusetts, Matt Harris logged his 100th three-point field goal. He is currently first on the team with 14 makes.

PLAYING AT TSONGAS
UMass Lowell owns a 3-9 all-time record at the Tsongas Center. Last season, the River Hawks finished the year with a 1-4 mark at the arena, including their first ever Division I victory in the building on Nov. 18 with a 87-84 victory against Sacred Heart. Previously, the program has earned victories against Division II NE-10 rival Merrimack in 2010 (71-70) and 2011 (68-66).

EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES
Having such a young team means everyone has to play a role. In all six games this year, the River Hawks have had at least three double-digit scorers. Four of the team's games so far have included four  players in double figures, with five River Hawks boasting over 10 points in each of the team's two most recent outings.

HIGH SCORING AFFAIRS
After averaging a league-best 76.6 points per game in 2015-16, it looks as though the River Hawks will continue with their high offensive output this season. Through six games, the team is averaging 79.2 points per game to sit second in the conference.

STEALING THE SHOW
Jahad Thomas currently ranks fourth among active America East career leaders with 76 steals. So far this season, he boasts a team-high 10 takeaways, including four against Wagner on Nov. 14. As a unit, UMass Lowell is fourth in the America East with an average of 5.3 steals per game.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
UMass Lowell is familiar with closely-contested battles, having put together an 8-3 record last season in games decided by six points or less, as well as a 2-0 mark in overtime games. Since 2014-15, 17 of the squad's most recent 24 wins have been decided by 10 points or less, including 16 by seven points or less. The team has even trailed in the second half in 16 games before battling back to earn the victories.