Box Score (PDF)

LOWELL, Mass. – In a game that featured an impressive, 22 lead changes, the UMass Lowell men's basketball team (8-12, 2-5 AE) came from behind in the final minutes of regulation to force overtime and eventually defeat Stony Brook (8-13, 3-4 AE), 82-79, in a Wednesday night thriller.
 
Senior Matt Harris (Erie, Pa.) drained a clutch three with less than 30 seconds left in the second half to force the 12th stalemate of the night, 71-71, and send the game into overtime. The Seawolves led early in the extra period, but seven consecutive River Hawk points, including another important triple from Harris, helped the home team take the lead for good. In the final minute, a three-point play from redshirt-senior Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.) and a pivotal rebound by junior Ryan Jones (Rio Rancho, N.M.) sealed the decision.
 
"This was a great college basketball game," said Head Coach Pat Duquette. "A lot of drama and a lot of good things from our team. I think this was a signature win for us because Stony Brook has always been at the top of the league. They are a very good and well-coached team, and they've got four or five inches on us at every position, so it took a lot for us to win. We had to fight to defend the post and rebound, and I'm really happy with how we executed down the stretch."
 
The victory marked the River Hawks' first win against America East opponent Stony Brook at the Division I level. Thomas matched a career best with a game-high 30 points. Harris added 15 points with four three-pointers, while Jones and freshman Obadiah Noel (Frederick, Md.) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Redshirt-junior Josh Gantz (Grove City, Ohio) chipped in with seven assists.
 
Thomas drained a three to start the scoring and help the River Hawks create a two-possession margin in the opening minutes. The Seawolves pulled within two on two occasions, but a triple from Harris and a layup from Gantz gave the home squad a 13-9 advantage with 13:44 remaining in the first half.
 
The teams traded baskets until SBU used a quick, 8-2 spurt to take its first lead, 22-21, at 7:32. Both sides continued to fight for the upper hand, as the board was even six times in the waning minutes, including 36-36 at the break thanks to a fast-break layup by Jones.
 
Thomas and Jones gave the momentum to the River Hawks with the first baskets coming out of halftime. The score was tied twice more in the next three minutes before Harris knocked down another jumper from beyond the arc, putting UMass Lowell back in front, 46-43, with 15:32 left to play.
 
Stony Brook would force three quick lead changes, although Thomas and Jones combined for the next five points to create a 53-49 buffer for the home team at 11:28. The River Hawks maintained the upper hand until back-to-back buckets made the score 58-57 in favor of the visitors with just over eight minutes to go. Following three more lead changes, the Seawolves took their largest lead of the night, 70-64, at 2:29. However, Thomas recorded two layups to set up Harris' game-tying three.
 
Wednesday's contest marked the 17th meeting between UMass Lowell and Stony Brook in the sport of men's basketball. The Seawolves still lead the all-time series, 12-5. Next up for the River Hawks is a visit from league opponent Hartford on Saturday, January 27. Tipoff for that game is set for 5 p.m.