Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Interview

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Redshirt-junior Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.) posted a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds, as the UMass Lowell men's basketball team (2-6) was handed an 81-69 setback at Marist College (3-4) on Tuesday evening.
 
"We dug ourselves a hole in the first half," said Head Coach Pat Duquette. "I thought we came out strong in the first 10 minutes and then we gave them some rhythm threes. We have to do a better job defending than that. We didn't shoot the ball well in the first half and they did, partly because of those threes we gave them. Defensively, we weren't as good as we needed to be and we turned the ball over a few times, and that's where they developed the lead."
 
The double-double was Thomas' first of the year and the fifth of his career. His 23 points marked a new season high, as well. Junior Matt Harris (Erie, Pa.) chipped in with 14 points on the night, while freshman Cameron Wolter (Fishers, Ind.) set personal bests with six free throws and 12 total points.
 
The River Hawks jumped out to an early, 8-3 edge with the help of threes from sophomore Isaac White (Ashland, Ohio) and senior Tyler Livingston (Hudson, N.H.) in the first four minutes of play. Marist was able to knot the score at 8-8, but Harris would hit from long range on his squad's next two possessions, putting the visitors on top, 14-10, with 11:54 remaining in the first half.
 
UMass Lowell's defense forced almost five minutes of silence from the Red Foxes before eight straight points from Wolter gave the squad a 22-13 advantage at 7:03. However, Marist was quick to retaliate, registering 18 unanswered points to take its first lead of the night at 31-22 with 2:38 left in the half. Thomas snapped the scoreless stint for the River Hawks and Livingston added a tip-in in the waning seconds, but Marist led 36-26 at the break.
 
Although the Red Foxes tallied the first four points of the second half, UMass Lowell answered with a 12-2 run, including three baskets from sophomore Ryan Jone (Rio Rancho, N.M.), to make it a two-possession game at 43-38 with 14:30 still to go. Marist led by as many as seven on two occasions until Thomas converted on a three-point play, cutting the difference to four, 49-45, at 11:50.
 
The River Hawks pulled within four twice more, but a 17-7 spurt put the Red Foxes up by double-digits once again, this time taking their largest lead of the night at 72-58 with just over four minutes to go. Thomas helped his team with eight points down the stretch, but Marist would go on to take the 81-69 decision.
 
The Red Foxes were led by two 20-point scorers in the outing, as Khallid Hart logged 23 and Ryan Funk notched 20. Kentrall Brooks pulled down 10 boards.
 
Tuesday's contest marked the first meeting ever between UMass Lowell and Marist in the sport of men's basketball. The River Hawks play their next game at home, welcoming NJIT to the Tsongas Center in Lowell for a 2 p.m. tilt on Saturday, December 3.