Box Score (PDF)

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell men's basketball team (6-10, 0-3 AE) dropped an 89-62 decision against America East opponent UMBC (12-7, 3-1 AE) on Saturday afternoon at the Tsongas Center.
 
Redshirt-senior Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.) and junior Ryan Jones (Rio Rancho, N.M.) paced the River Hawks on offense with 15 and 13 points, respectively in the outing. Thomas added nine rebounds and six assists, as well. Redshirt-junior Josh Gantz (Grove City, Ohio) chipped in with nine points and five boards, while freshman Joey Naccarato (Coeur d'Alene, Id.) tied a personal best with eight points.
 
"I don't think we came ready to play from the start," said Head Coach Pat Duquette. "UMBC is a really good team. They're well-coached, and they're playing unselfishly and moving the ball. I'm impressed with how they played. I was really honest with our players. We can be a good team, but we weren't today. Not our best effort, but we get an opportunity Monday to turn it around."
 
Sophomore Rinardo Perry (Washington, D.C.) scored the lone baskets for the River Hawks in the first five minutes of the contest, as UMBC jumped out to an 11-4 edge. R. Jones knocked down the squad's first triple of the day, but UMBC used a 16-6 run to create a double-digit margin at 27-12 with 10:45 remaining in the first half.
 
The River Hawks were held without a field goal for over 10 minutes during the stretch when the Retrievers extended their lead to 40-19 at 3:32. Thomas would bank in a layup to snap the silence from the floor for the UMass Lowell offense at 2:04. He followed with a three, helping his team end the period with a 6-2 spurt that put the difference at 42-25 heading into the break.
 
Thomas scored the first bucket for either side coming out of halftime, but UMBC took the momentum back with 15 of the next 16 points to pull away, 57-28, at 16:02. The visitors led by as many as 32 before freshman Obadiah Noel (Frederick, Md.) knocked down a three and R. Jones drove hard to the hoop for two.
 
Naccarato sparked six straight points for the River Hawks to make the score 70-47 with 8:59 remaining. The teams traded baskets in the waning minutes, but the home team was unable to come any closer, as UMBC secured the 89-62 outcome.
 
Jairus Lyles led the Retrievers with 21 points and six rebounds, while K.J. Maura and Joe Sherburne each drained five threes for 17 and 15 points, respectively.
 
Saturday's contest marked the ninth meeting between UMass Lowell and UMBC in the sport of men's basketball. The River Hawks still lead the all-time series, 6-3. The squad has a quick turnaround, returning to action on Monday, January 15 when they celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as well as Team IMPACT Day against New Hampshire. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m.