November 22 vs. LIU Brooklyn (3 p.m.)
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November 19 vs. Loyola (Md.) (2 p.m.)
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ESPN3
Talent: Chris Villani (Play-by-Play), Jim Borodawka (Analyst)
Radio
River Hawk Radio Network: (980AM WCAP)
Talent: Nick Anastos (Play-by-Play), Matt Langone (Analyst)
Twitter: @RiverHawkMBB | @RiverHawkNationÂ
LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team plays two more games at home this Thanksgiving week, as part of their current six-game homestand. Action starts with a mid-week matinee against LIU Brooklyn on Wednesday, November 22 at 3 p.m. and wraps up with a 2 p.m. showdown against Loyola (Md.) on Sunday, Nov. 26.
A WIN WOULD
A win on Wednesday would mark the River Hawks' first ever win against LIU. A win would also mark the fourth consecutive victory for the squad, its longest streak since 2014-15 (6 games). The victory would improve the team's home record to 4-0, good for its best home court start since 2009-10 (6-0). It would match the team's best overall start since 2012-13 (4-1), as well. Â
HOME SWEET HOME
UMass Lowell's homestand that spans the rest of the month of November marks the most consecutive home games for the program since 2003-04 (7). In 2017-18, the team has more home games than ever before at the Division I level (16). Including a 3-0 record this season, the River Hawks have accumulated a 116-64 mark in front of River Hawk Nation since 2003-04. Â
LAST TIME OUT
Sophomore
Rinardo Perry posted a game- and career-high 26 points to lift UMass Lowell to a 98-78 win against Cornell on Nov. 19 at the Tsongas Center. Perry, who also set new personal bests with 11 field goals and four three-pointers, was joined in double figures by redshirt-senior
Jahad Thomas, who logged his second double-double this season with 17 points and 10 rebounds, in addition to junior
Ryan Jones, who finished with 14. Senior
Matt Harris, junior
Shawn Jones and redshirt-sophomore
Connor Bennett each chipped in with 11 points, as well. As a team, UMass Lowell tallied 11 steals and forced 22 turnovers, both of which were season highs.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Through four games,
Jahad Thomas is pacing the River Hawks with 19.0 points and 13.5 rebounds.
Matt Harris (17.5),
Ryan Jones (12.0) and
Shawn Jones (11.0) round out the team's scorers in double-digits. Redshirt-sophomore
Connor Bennett is shooting a team-best 59.1 percent (13-22) from the field, while S. Jones has dished out 14 assists to lead the squad. Redshirt-junior
Josh Gantz is first on the team with six blocks, as well. Â
SCOUTING LIU BROOKLYN
The Blackbirds are currently 2-3 on the young season, after splitting a pair of contests last week at the Jamaica Classic. The squad first faced a 78-74 setback against Miami (OH) on Nov. 17 before closing out their tropical trip with an 86-84 victory against Hartford on Nov. 18. Raiquan Clark is leading the offense, shooting 57.4 percent (39-68) from the field with 21.6 points per game. Joel Hernandez, who follows with an average of 17.8 points, is pacing the Blackbirds with 17 assists, while Zach Coleman boasts 8.4 rebounds per game and seven blocks. As a team, LIU is shooting 44.7 percent (156-349) from the field and 74.7 percent (65-87) from the foul line. Â
A DIFFERENCE ON DEFENSE
UMass Lowell has made defense its top priority in 2017-18 and the difference is apparent. The team set a new program Division I record with 56 rebounds, in addition to tying the record for blocks with eight against UMass Boston on Nov. 12. Against Cornell on Nov. 19, the team forced a season-high 22 turnovers. Additionally, after finishing in the bottom half of the league in several defensive categories in the last four seasons, the River Hawks are currently first in scoring margin (+14.3) and turnover margin (+4.8), and third in rebounding margin (+3.7). Â
OFFENSIVE STATE OF MIND
The River Hawks continue to boast a powerful offense, leading the conference with an average of 86.3 points per game and a +14.3 scoring margin compared to their opponents.
UNDER CONTROL
The River Hawks have been taking care of the ball this season with just 12.8 turnovers per game, compared to 15.3 per game last year. The team is also leading the league with a 1.31 assist/turnover ratio.
SHARP SHOOTING
As a team, UMass Lowell shot a season-best 51.4 percent (37-72) from the field against Cornell on Nov. 19. The River Hawks are now 2-0 on the year when shooting 45 percent or better.
HELPING HANDS
One key to the River Hawks' balanced scoring has always been their ability to share the basketball, as witnessed by the team's season-high 19 helpers dished out against Marist. The squad is on top of the America East rankings right now with 16.8 assists per game.
STEALING THE SHOW
Shawn Jones has given UMass Lowell a spark on the defensive end this year, tallying four steals in his debut at UMass. As a team, the River Hawks, who totaled 11 takeaways in the Nov. 19 win against Cornell, rank first in the league in steals per game (7.5).
LEADING THE WAY
Jahad Thomas, who was named America East Player of the Week on Nov. 20, ranks among the America East's active career leaders for several categories. He is currently first in the league for career steals (118), second for points (1332) and assists (290), and third for rebounds (663).
HOT SHOT
Matt Harris has been hot from beyond the arc to start 2017-18. With a career-high tying seven three-pointers made against Marist on Nov. 15, he now ranks 18th in the nation with 15 long balls so far. All but four of his field goals this year have been triples, as he leads the America East with 3.8 per game.
SWEET SPOT
The River Hawks are ranked 18th in the nation for free throws made (87). The team is shooting 77.7 percent on free throws through four games, good for second in the America East. Individually,
Shawn Jones paces the team with an 85.7 percent clip (12-14) from the line.
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