Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Interview

DURHAM, N.H. – Redshirt-junior Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.) logged his second consecutive 20+ point game, as the UMass Lowell River Hawks (8-14, 3-5 AE) dropped an 80-71 decision at America East opponent New Hampshire (14-7, 5-2 AE) on Wednesday evening.
 
Thomas totaled a game-high 24 points with eight rebounds and five assists. Freshman Rinardo Perry (Washington, D.C.) chipped in with a personal-best 14 points, while sophomores Logan Primerano (Peru, Ind.) and Ryan Jones (Rio Rancho, N.M.) added 11 and 10, respectively.
 
"I thought we played great and our guys battled," said Head Coach Pat Duquette. "We didn't play perfect. Every time we made a mistake, I think they made a three-point shot. We weren't able to get too many open threes and that's a credit to their defense. They're a very good defensive team. Obviously, we gave up too many free throws. It's hard to win a game giving them 30 chances. But overall, I'm really happy with the way my guys played. They executed and competed for a large part of the game."
 
The River Hawks jumped in front early, scoring the first four points of the contest by way of Perry. Buckets from junior Matt Harris (Erie, Pa.) and Thomas kept the visitors ahead by four, but New Hampshire would follow with nine straight points to take a 16-9 advantage with 13:46 remaining in the first half.
 
The home squad maintained at least a four-point margin until Primerano banked in a layup and Thomas drove to the hoop for an and-1 to cut the difference to 26-23 at 6:07. Back-to-back baskets from Thomas made it a two-point game at 31-29 with just over three minutes to go in the period before Primerano drained a wide open three from the top of the key inside the last minute to close the gap to just one. However, Daniel Dion converted on a pair of free throws right before the break to send UNH into the locker room with a 37-34 edge.
 
Coming out of halftime, UMass Lowell pulled back within one following quick scores from Jones and senior Tyler Livingston (Hudson, N.H.), although the Wildcats then outscored the River Hawks, 11-4, to create a 50-42 buffer with 15:28 left to play.
 
Despite the visitors trailing by only seven with nine minutes to go after a layup from Thomas and a long ball from Livingston, UNH was able to put together a 14-7 spurt that spanned over six minutes to its largest lead of the night, 75-61, at 2:36. The River Hawks would continue to battle, with 10 of the final 15 points, but it was not enough to overcome the 80-71 outcome.
 
Jaleen Smith and Tanner Leissner both finished with 24 points to pace the Wildcats. Iba Camera notched a game-high 12 rebounds, as well.
 
Wednesday's contest marked the eighth meeting between UMass Lowell and New Hampshire in the sport of men's basketball. UNH owns a 7-1 advantage in the all-time series. The River Hawks, who have now played each America East team once, will host Fisher College in a non-conference tilt on Saturday, January 28 at 2 p.m.