December 29 at Cornell (6 p.m.)
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LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team, who is currently 4-9 overall in 2016-17, makes the trek to Cornell for their final game before the new year on Thursday, December 29. Tipoff for the weeknight clash is slated for 6 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
Redshirt-junior Jahad Thomas logged his second consecutive double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds, as the UMass Lowell men's basketball team fell, 69-60, at Loyola (Md.) (6-5) in a Friday matinee. 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 added 13 points of his own, while senior Tyler Livingston and sophomore Logan Primerano chipped in with 11 points apiece. Sophomore Ryan Jones finished with 10 points on the afternoon, as well. Although the River Hawks trailed by just three at the break, Loyola opened the second half on a 13-2 run to pull away.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Through 13 games in 2016-17, Jahad Thomas leads the squad with 16.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, 49 assists and 22 steals. Thomas is one of three River Hawks scoring in double figures this season, as Matt Harris and Tyler Livingston follow closely with 13.0 and 12.5 points per game, respectively. Livingston is first on the team with 33 three-pointers in 2016-17, while Harris boasts a 94.4 percent clip (51-54) from the line. Freshman Cameron Wolter has logged five blocks so far, as well. As a whole, UMass Lowell is shooting 46.3 percent (340-735) from the floor, 36.6 percent (104-284) from beyond the arc and 80.1 percent (217-271) from the foul line.

SCOUTING CORNELL
The Big Red owns a 3-9 record this season, having split their two most recent outings. On Dec. 23, the team defeated Southeast Missouri State, 78-62, before falling at Syracuse, 80-56, on Dec. 27. Matt Morgan is first on the squad with 18.5 points. Stone Gettings chips in with 13.2 points and  a team-high 5.6 rebounds. Robert Hatter has been the Big Red's primary playmaker, boasting 35 assists so far. The Big Red is shooting 42.9 percent (304-709) from the floor and 33.4 percent (105-314) from three-point range.

SERIES HISTORY
Thursday's contest marks just the third meeting between UMass Lowell and Cornell in the sport of men's basketball. The River Hawks tied the all-time series at 1-1 last year when they picked up an 80-77 victory in Lowell.

A WIN WOULD
A win against Cornell would give UMass Lowell its second consecutive victory against the Big Red, as the River Hawks picked up a closely-contested decision on their home court last year. It would also give UMass Lowell its second win against the Ivy League all-time, having also faced Brown (0-2), Columbia (0-1) and Dartmouth (0-2) previously.

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 80.1 percent (217-271) 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 94.4 percent clip (51-54) on free throws.

WHAT IF
If the River Hawks were through their Division I transition and could be official ranked in statistical categories by the NCAA, they would sit tied four fourth in the nation for free throw percentage (80.1%).

THE COUNTDOWN TO 1,000
Jahad Thomas is within striking distance of becoming the program's 40th player all-time to join the prestigious 1,000 Point Club. Currently boasting 935 career points, he also ranks fourth among the America East's active career scoring leaders.

ON TARGET
The River Hawks have consistently taken the right shots, having gone at least 50.0 percent from the floor already four times this season. The team is second in the conference right now, shooting 46.3 percent overall. Jahad Thomas owns a team-best 57.1 percent clip (76-133) from the field. UMass Lowell has outshot its opponent in nine of its 13 games thus far.

HELPING HANDS
One key to the River Hawks' balanced scoring is their ability to share the basketball. This year, the squad is averaging 15.3 assists per game to lead the America East. UMass Lowell is led by Jahad Thomas with a total of 49 helpers so far.

ROAD WARRIORS
The River Hawks play 17 of their 31 games in 2016-17 away from friendly confines, including five of their first six. The team is still looking for its first true road win of the year, having picked up its lone victory away from home this season in a neutral-site contest vs. Mississippi Valley State. UMass Lowell has accumulated an 88-112 road record 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 13 games, the team is averaging 77.0 points per game to sit second in the conference.

EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES
Having such a young team means everyone has to play a role. In 12 of the 13 games this year, the River Hawks have had at least three double-digit scorers. Seven 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 outings against Liberty, MVSU, CCSU and Loyola.

A THREAT ON THREES
UMass Lowell has been strong from beyond the arc in recent years under Duquette's tutelage. The River Hawks are fifth in the America East right now, shooting 36.6 percent (104-284) 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 33 makes, logged a career-high seven threes on Nov. 26 against LIU Brooklyn.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
The River Hawks' thrilling, last-second comeback against BU was the team's smallest margin of victory this year (77-75). The team is familiar with close games, though, as seven of the 13 total decisions so far this season have come down to 10 points or less. Since beginning 2014-15, 16 of the squad's 27 wins have been decided by seven points or less. The team has even trailed in the second half in 17 games before battling back to earn the victories.