Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Interview

BALTIMORE, Md. – Redshirt-junior Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.) logged his second consecutive double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds, as the UMass Lowell men's basketball team (4-9) fell, 69-60, at Loyola (Md.) (6-5) in a Friday matinee.
 
"I really didn't feel like we deserved to win," said Head Coach Pat Duquette. "For whatever reason, we didn't come out sharp today. There were numerous times where we could've taken control of the game, but it just didn't seem like we wanted to do that. Defensively, it was not a bad game for us, it was more offensively where we never really got into any rhythm."
 
Thomas, who scored in double figures for the seventh straight game, was one of five River Hawks to post at least 10 points. Junior Matt Harris (Erie, Pa.) added 13 points of his own, while senior Tyler Livingston (Hudson, N.H.) and sophomore Logan Primerano (Peru, Ind.) chipped in with 11 points apiece. Sophomore Ryan Jones (Rio Rancho, N.M.) finished with 10 points on the afternoon, as well.
 
The River Hawks' defense went to work quickly, forcing four turnovers in the first four minutes of play. However, after the score was tied twice in the early minutes, the Greyhounds used an 8-3 spurt to pull in front, 12-7, with 13:30 remaining in the first half. Points from Jones and Primerano kept the visitors within two possessions of the lead until Loyola tallied five in a row to go ahead, 19-11, at 9:11.
 
UMass Lowell responded, though, as a pull-up jumper from freshman Cameron Wolter (Fishers, Ind.) opened an 8-2 stretch that closed the gap to 21-19 with 4:15 to play in the half. Jones added a three from the wing and Primerano drove hard to the hoop, making it just a one-point game, but a dunk by Chancellor Bernard gave the Hounds a slight, 27-24 edge at the break.
 
Coming out of halftime, the River Hawk offense struggled to finish its opportunities, allowing Loyola to use a 13-2 run to create a 40-26 margin. Livingston was able to turn the momentum back in favor of the visitors with five straight points, helping his squad outscore Loyola, 9-1, in the next five minutes and cutting the difference to just six.
 
The Greyhounds maintained at least a six-point buffer until Thomas completed a three-point play and Harris knocked down a triple, putting UMass Lowell within five, 46-41, at 9:06. The River Hawks continued to pressure and Jones rolled in a fast-break layup to pull his team into striking distance at 52-49 with 5:45 left. The visitors were unable to come any closer, however, as Loyola led by as many as 12 in the final minutes en route to the 69-60 decision.
 
Friday's contest marked the first meeting ever between UMass Lowell and Loyola (Md.) in the sport of men's basketball. The River Hawks will enjoy almost a week off for the holiday break, returning to action on Thursday, December 29 at Cornell in a 6 p.m. tilt.