Box Score (PDF)

DURHAM, N.H. – Redshirt-senior Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.) logged a career-high 40 points to lead the UMass Lowell men's basketball team (12-17, 6-10 AE) to a 92-77 win at America East foe New Hampshire (10-20, 6-10 AE) on Tuesday evening.
 
With the win, the River Hawks have tied the program's Division I single-season record for wins (12) and also finish tied for sixth with New Hampshire in the league's regular-season standings.
 
"It's nice that we're continuing to play well," said Head Coach Pat Duquette. "I thought we were really locked in defensively in the second half, and Jahad had one of the best individual performances that I've seen, so that was really special. The guys found him and he just had an unbelievable game."
 
Thomas' 40-point performance not only set a Division I record for UMass Lowell, but also marked the most points in a single game for the school since 1981 (John Paganetti, 46). Thomas, who recorded a personal-best 15 field goals, was joined in double figures by junior Ryan Jones (Rio Rancho, N.M.), who posted 18 points on the night. Sophomores Rinardo Perry (Washington, D.C.) and Connor Bennett (Wilmington, Mass.) added to the offense with 11 points apiece. Freshman Obadiah Noel (Frederick, Md.) grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds, as well.
 
The River Hawks opened the game with threes from Thomas and Perry to help create an early, two-possession lead, but UNH scored five in a row to pull in front, 9-8, with 14:56 remaining in the first half.
 
The lead was short-lived, though, as senior Matt Harris (Erie, Pa.) knocked down a three to spark a 14-5 run that gave the visitors a 22-14 advantage at 11:05. The teams traded buckets on opposite ends of the floor with UMass Lowell maintaining at least a five-point margin until the Wildcats used a 12-4 spurt to regain the lead, 37-34, with 5:02 left in the period. The River Hawks worked to knot the score at 41-41, and although the home team led by as many as five in the waning minutes, Thomas drove through traffic just before the buzzer to put his squad back within two, 49-47, at the break.
 
Jones and Thomas combined for the first points of the second half, regaining the upper hand for UMass Lowell. UNH would quickly take the lead once more, but the River Hawks then outscored the Wildcats, 11-1, to pull ahead, 63-55, with 14:51 left to go.
 
The River Hawks would capitalize on UNH shooting just 1-for-10 during a seven minute stretch, extending their margin to double-digits for the first time, 76-61, at 8:55. The Wildcats were able to cut the difference to 13 on two occasions, but did not come any closer in the decision.
 
Four different Wildcats scored in double figures paced by Tanner Leissner with 18. Iba Camera totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Tuesday's contest marked the 10th meeting between UMass Lowell and New Hampshire in the sport of men's basketball. The Wildcats still own an 8-2 edge in the all-time series. The River Hawks will take part in their first ever America East Championship beginning with a quarterfinal matchup against No. 2 UMBC on Saturday, March 3. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m.