December 18 vs. Central Connecticut (1 p.m.)
Game Notes | Watch Live | Listen Live | Live Stats | Buy Tickets

TV:
AmericaEast.tv
Talent: DJ Sixsmith (Play-by-Play), Jim Borodawka (Analyst)

Radio:
River Hawk Radio Network: (900AM WCAP)
Talent: Nick Anastos (Play-by-Play), Matt Langone (Analyst)

Twitter: @RiverHawkFH | @RiverHawkNation Tweet #UnitedInBlue

LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team, who is currently 2-8 overall in 2016-17, is looking to snap a four-game skid when the squad returns to action after an 11-day break against Central Connecticut State on Sunday afternoon, December 18, at 1 p.m.

TEAM IMPACT DAY
The River Hawks are honoring five-year old Nathaniel Fortes with their Team IMPACT Day game. Nathaniel officially joined the UMass Lowell men's basketball team on November 1 during a special Team IMPACT Draft Day event. Team IMPACT is a Boston-based non-profit organization, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing chronic illnesses through the power of a team. Nathaniel was diagnosed with Kawasaki's disease, an inflammatory disease of the blood vessels, when he was just six months old. He also has neutropenia, making him more susceptible to bacterial infections. Despite all that he has been through and continues to fight through, he is a huge inspiration to his River Hawk teammates. Nathaniel's favorite color is orange. He loves to dance to "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts, and enjoys playing sports and learning to read.  

LAST TIME OUT
Redshirt-junior Jahad Thomas logged a team-best 21 points and eight rebounds, as the UMass Lowell men's basketball team was handed a 91-82 loss at Sacred Heart (4-5) on December 6. The performance marked the third 20-point game of the season for Thomas. He added five assists and two steals on the night, as well. Joining him in double figures were senior Tyler Livingston and sophomore Isaac White, who totaled 14 and 10 points, respectively. As a team, UMass Lowell continued to show its strength from the foul line, going 11-for-11 on free throws in the second half en route to an 87.5 percent clip (14-16) for the contest. The River Hawks led early in the contest, but Sacred Heart was able to build a double-digit lead heading into halftime.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Through 10 games in 2016-17, Ja had Thomas leads the squad with 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, 36 assists and 16 steals. Thomas is one of three River Hawks scoring in double figures this season, as junior Matt Harris and Tyler Livingston follow closely with 12.5 and 12.3 points per game, respectively. Livingston is first on the team with 24 three-pointers in 2016-17, while Harris boasts a 93.2 percent clip (41-44) from the line. Redshirt-sophomore Dontavious Smith totals a team-best four blocks, as well. As a whole, UMass Lowell is shooting 45.2 percent (256-566) from the floor, 36.3 percent (82-226) from beyond the arc and 81.8 percent (184-225) from the foul line.

SCOUTING CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE
The Blue Devils own a 2-7 record this season and find themselves in the midst of a four-game skid. Most recently, CCSU dropped a closely-contested decision, 70-67, at Duquesne on Dec. 10 before falling, 90-59, at Yale on Dec. 13. Austin Nehls paces the team with 13.8 points per game and a 48.0 percent clip (24-50) from beyond the arc, while Khalen Cumberlander adds 11.1 points per game and a team-high 10 total steals. Tidell Pierre leads the squad on the boards with 5.8 rebounds per game, as well. The Blue Devils are shooting 42.2 percent (214-507) from the floor and 35.2 percent (44-125) from three-point range.

SERIES HISTORY
Sunday's contest marks the 11th meeting between UMass Lowell and Central Connecticut in the sport of men's basketball. The Blue Devils have won the most recent five meetings, including an 83-79 decision when the teams squared off on Dec. 18, 2015.

A WIN WOULD
A win against Central Connecticut would give UMass Lowell its first win against the Blue Devils since 1983, as CCSU has won the last five meetings. It would also give UMass Lowell its second win against a Northeast Conference opponent this year to improve to 2-2. The win would snap a four-game skid, 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 81.8 percent (184-225) 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 league with 93.2 percent clip (41-44) on free throws.

ON TARGET
The River Hawks have shown they know how to take the right shots in 2016-17, having shot at least 50.0 percent from the floor already three times this season. Jahad Thomas owns a team-best 56.4 clip (57-101) from the field. As a team, UMass Lowell has shot better than its opponent in six of its 10 games thus far.

SENIOR STANDOUT
Tyler Livingston is leaving his mark in his final campaign with the best season of his career so far. After averaging no more than 7.4 points per game in a season previously, he is currently third on the squad with 12.3 points per game in 2016-17.

HELPING HANDS
One key to the River Hawks' balanced scoring is their ability to share the basketball. This year, the squad is averaging 14.7 assists per game to lead the America East. UMass Lowell is led by Jahad Thomas with a total of 36 helpers so far.

HOME SWEET HOME
With 14 home games in 2016-17, the River Hawks will play their most games in front of a friendly crowd since moving to Division I. Including a 1-2 record so far this year, UMass Lowell has a history of performing well at home, accumulating a 106-60 mark in front of River Hawk Nation since 2003-04.

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 10 games, the team is averaging 77.8 points per game to sit second in the conference.

A THREAT ON THREES
UMass Lowell has been strong from beyond the arc in recent years under Duquette's tutelage. The River Hawks are fourth in the America East right now, shooting 36.3 percent (82-226) 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. Tyler Livingston, who is currently first on the team with 24 makes, logged a career-high seven threes on Nov. 26 against LIU Brooklyn.