February 9 vs. Maine (7 p.m.)
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Radio:
River Hawk Radio Network: (980AM WCAP)
Talent: Nick Anastos (Play-by-Play), Matt Langone (Analyst)

TV:
ESPN3
Talent: DJ Sixsmith (Play-by-Play), Jim Borodawka (Analyst)

Twitter: @RiverHawkMBB | @RiverHawkNation Tweet #UnitedInBlue

LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team, who is currently 10-16 overall and 4-7 in America East action in 2016-17, will host Maine in a weeknight clash on Thursday, February 9. Despite the winter storm, the game will still tip off as scheduled at 7 p.m. at Costello Athletic Center.

LAST TIME OUT
Redshirt-junior Jahad Thomas totaled 24 points and 10 rebounds, as UMass Lowell was handed an 83-72 loss at America East foe Stony Brook on Monday evening, Feb. 6. The River Hawks were within one point of the lead early in the second half before the Seawolves pulled away by a double-digit margin. Thomas' performance marked his ninth double-double of the season. Senior Tyler Livingston and sophomore Ryan Jones chipped in with nine points apiece, while redshirt-sophomore Jordan Shea and sophomore Logan Primerano each added eight.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Through 26 games in 2016-17, Jahad Thomas leads the squad with 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, 118 assists and 36 steals. Thomas is one of four River Hawks scoring in double figures this season, as Tyler Livingston follows with 13.0 points per game, and Ryan Jones and junior Matt Harris chip in with 11.9 and 10.5, respectively. Livingston is first on the team with 66 three-pointers and 10 blocks in 2016-17, while Harris boasts a 92.6 percent clip (63-68) from the line. Logan Primerano, who adds 7.1 points per game, totals seven blocks on the year, as well. As a whole, UMass Lowell is shooting 47.7 percent (725-1521) from the floor, 37.6 percent (207-550) from beyond the arc and 75.4 percent (353-468) from the foul line.

SCOUTING MAINE
The Black Bears own a 6-20 record this season and a 2-9 mark in league play after splitting their two most recent outings. The squad faced an 83-71 setback against UMBC on Feb. 4 before earning a 52-41 win against Hartford on Feb. 6. Wes Myers is first on the team with 16.9 points per game, while Ilker Er and Andrew Fleming chip in with 10.1 and 10.0 points, respectively. Fleming boasts team-best marks with 6.4 rebounds per game and 15 blocks. Ryan Berstein has been the Black Bears' primary playmaker with 80 assists on the year. The Black Bears are shooting 40.6 percent (623-1533) from the floor and 30.9 percent (172-557) from three-point range.

SERIES HISTORY
Thursday's contest marks the 10th meeting between UMass Lowell and Maine. The River Hawks lead the all-time series, 6-3, but the Black Bears came from behind to take a 73-71 decision on Jan. 11.  

A WIN WOULD
A win against the Black Bears would split the season series between the two squads. It would also improve UMass Lowell's record at Costello Athletic Center this year to 6-2.

WEEKLY AWARDS
Rinardo Perry received his first ever America East award when he was named Rookie of the Week on Jan. 30. Jahad Thomas has earned Player of the Week three times this year.

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 (43 vs. Assumption). The team is currently shooting 75.4 percent (353-468) from the charity stripe, good for first in the conference. Individually, Matt Harris, who was perfect through the first five games of the season, is leading the way for the league and is fifth in the nation with 92.6 percent clip (63-68) on free throws.

UNDER CONTROL
The River Hawks have improved from averaging 17.6 turnovers per game during non-conference play to 13.3 turnovers in league action.

A DISH BEST SERVED BY THOMAS
Jahad Thomas dished out his 100th assist of the season at New Hampshire on Jan. 25. With 118 on the year, he has already set a new personal best and has logged the most helpers in a single season since 2010-11 (Robbie Walton, 119).

HIGH SCORING AFFAIRS
The River Hawks, who posted a season-high 98 points at Cornell, have become accustomed to high-scoring games. After averaging a league-best 76.6 points per game in 2015-16,  the team is averaging 77.3 points per game to sit second in the conference.

ON TARGET
The River Hawks have consistently taken the right shots, having gone at least 50.0 percent from the floor already 10 times this season. The team is second in the conference right now, shooting 47.7 percent overall. Jahad Thomas, who is first overall in the league and 18th in the nation, owns a 60.5 percent clip (182-301) from the field. UMass Lowell has outshot its opponent in 15 of its 26 games thus far.

SENIOR STANDOUT
Tyler Livingston is leaving his mark in his final campaign with the best season of his career so far. After averaging no more than 7.4 points per game in a season previously, he is currently second on the squad with 13.0 points per game in 2016-17.

HELPING HANDS
One key to the River Hawks' balanced scoring is their ability to share the basketball. This year, the squad is averaging 15.8 assists per game to lead the America East. Jahad Thomas is fourth among active career leaders in the America East with 252 helpers.

HOARDING THE BOARDS
With a Division I-high 53 boards in the team's win against Hartford on Jan. 14, the squad logged its most rebounds in a game since 2012 (52 vs. Bentley). The team has already pulled down at least 40 rebounds in seven games, exceeding the number of times that it did so all of last season. Jahad Thomas, who leads the league with 9.2 total rebounds and 6.8 defensive rebounds per game, ranks second among active career leaders in the America East with a total of 596.

EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES
Having such a young team means everyone has to play a role. In 16 of the team's games so far, at least four players have scored in double figures, with five River Hawks boasting over 10 points in six games, including back-to-back outings against Loyola and Cornell.

A THREAT ON THREES
UMass Lowell has been strong from beyond the arc in recent years under Duquette's tutelage. The River Hawks are second in the America East right now, shooting 37.6 percent (207-550) from long range this year, including a season-high 15 makes against Fisher on Jan. 28. Tyler Livingston, who is currently first on the team with 63 makes, logged a career-high seven threes on Nov. 26 against LIU Brooklyn.

HOME SWEET HOME
With 14 home games in 2016-17, the River Hawks will play their most games in front of a friendly crowd since moving to Division I. Including a 7-4 record so far this year, UMass Lowell has accumulated a 112-62 mark in front of River Hawk Nation since 2003-04.