Box Score (PDF)

VESTAL, N.Y. – Freshman Isaac White (Ashland, Ohio) registered a game-high 20 points to pace the UMass Lowell men's basketball team (11-17, 7-8 AE) in a closely-contested, 81-77 loss at Binghamton (7-20, 4-10 AE) on Saturday afternoon.
 
"It was a good effort, but I was disappointed with the way we handled their pressure early on," said Head Coach Pat Duquette. "I thought we made the right passes, but we didn't finish some easy baskets. This Binghamton team forces you to make plays, and I felt like we made them and then didn't finish around the rim. I think had we done that, it would've changed the complexion of the game."
 
White knocked down five three-pointers on the day as one of four scorers in double figures for the River Hawks. Redshirt sophomore Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.) finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, to lead both teams on the glass. Freshmen Logan Primerano (Peru, Ind.) and Ryan Jones (Rio Rancho, N.M.) chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively, as well.
 
The Bearcats won the opening tip and scored the first five points of the game, but the River Hawks quickly closed the gap to one with buckets from Jones and redshirt freshman Josh Gantz (Grove City, Ohio). The home squad then used a 7-2 spurt to pull ahead, 16-8, with 13:41 remaining in the first half.
 
White drained three pointers on UMass Lowell's next two possessions, but Binghamton worked to build a 28-14 advantage at 10:05. Junior Tyler Livingston (Hudson, N.H.) then banked in a layup for the River Hawks, sparking a 10-2 run to make it a two-possession game at 30-24 with 6:32 to play in the first.
 
The Bearcats scored the next six points, though, to regain a double-digit edge, 36-24 at 4:43. In the waning minutes of the half, UMass Lowell outscored Binghamton, 7-3, thanks to five points from White, but the home squad would hold on to take a 39-31 lead into the break.
 
Binghamton scored six of the first eight points coming out of the break to extend its buffer to 45-33. The River Hawks answered with a layup from Thomas and a three-point play from Jones, cutting the difference to seven at 45-38 with 17:16 still to go.
 
The home team, who led by as many as 12 in the next seven minutes, maintained at least an eight-point margin until UMass Lowell scored nine consecutive points, including a long ball from Primerano, to put UMass Lowell back within a basket, 61-58, at 6:32. However, a 10-1 BU run gave the Bearcats a 71-59 lead with 3:42 to play.
 
The River Hawks continued to battle in the final minutes, making it a five-point game on a three by Primerano with 33 seconds remaining. Despite having to foul, the visitors cut the deficit to just two when White hit from downtown in the final 10 seconds, but Binghamton went on to seal the 81-77 decision.
 
Saturday's contest marked the 11th meeting between UMass Lowell and Binghamton in the sport of men's basketball. UMass Lowell still owns a 7-4 edge in the all-time series. The River Hawks return home to host UAlbany in their season finale on February 24 at the Tsongas Center. Tipoff for that Senior Night contest is slated for 7 p.m.