November 10 at Ohio State (4 p.m.)
Live Stats | Watch Live | Game Notes (PDF)

November 12 vs. UMass Boston (7 p.m.)
Live Stats | Watch Live | Game Notes (PDF)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team (1-1) close out a three-game road swing at Ohio State on Sunday, November 10 at 4 p.m. before hosting UMass Boston in its home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.

A WIN WOULD
A win against the Buckeyes would be the River Hawks first win against a nationally ranked opponent and their first against a member of the Big Ten. The team is currently 0-6 against Big Ten opponents since moving to Division I.      

LAST TIME OUT
Christian Lutete made history with a program-high 51 points to lead UMass Lowell to an 87-74 victory at pre-season Northeast Conference favorite LIU on November 8. Obadiah Noel added 21 points and a personal-best 13 rebounds for his first career double-double in the team's first win of the year. Connor Withers grabbed 11 boards of his own, as well. The River Hawks trailed by as many as 12 in the first half, but battled back to force nine tied scores and 11 lead changes before pulling ahead for good with less than 10 minutes to play.

A HISTORIC PERFORMANCE  
With his 51-point performance at LIU on Nov. 8, Lutete surpassed the legendary Hank Brown's previous school record of 48 that had stood for 53 years (LTI vs. Lowell State, 2/3/66). He also became just the second America East Conference player ever to tally 50 or more points in a single contest and the first to do so in 25 years. Additionally, Lutete set a new career high and DI program record with 16 field goals, while matching a personal-best seven threes. He shot an impressive 64 percent (16-25) from the field in the performance that landed as No. 2 on SportsCenter's "Friday's Finest."

LEADING THE FLOCK
Through two games, Christian Lutete is leading the team with 34.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Obadiah Noel follows with 19.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Jordyn Owens has dished out a team-best five assists, while Connor Withers has three blocks and Josh Gantz boasts four steals.   

SCOUTING NO. 18 OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes, who finished last season 20-15, open the 2019-20 season ranked No. 18 in the nation. The team defeated Cincinnati, 64-56, on Nov. 6 to start the new year. In that contest, Kyle Young totaled 14 points and 13 rebounds. Kaleb Wesson added 11 rebounds of his own. As a team, OSU shot 41 percent from the floor, including 31 percent from beyond the arc.

STRONG CORE
The River Hawks are returning four of their five starters from the 2018-19 team that set Division I program records for wins (15) and winning percentage (.469). Additionally, with seven experienced veterans back, the team returns 78 percent of its scoring.

ON THE BOARDS
After turning in their best rebounding average (34.8) and rebounding margin (-0.3) at the Division I level last season, the River Hawks have started 2019-20 stronger than ever, averaging 44.0 rebounds and +9.5 rebounding margin. Leading the team on the glass, Christian Lutete and Obadiah Noel have each logged one 13-rebound game, which was a new career high for Noel at LIU.  

ROAD WARRIORS
The River Hawks recorded their most wins away from home during the Division I era last season (7). At 1-1 so far this year, the program has now accumulated a 101-142 road record since 2003-04.  

DOUBLING UP
With 17 points and 13 rebounds at UMass, Christian Lutete recorded a double-double in the season opener for the second straight year, after becoming the first River Hawk to tally one in their debut. He now has 11 career double-doubles during his time at UMass Lowell. Obadiah Noel added his first career double-double (21 pts, 13 rebs) at LIU, as well.

SHARP SHOOTERS
The River Hawks are shooting 41.1 percent from the floor so far this year after shooting better than 50 percent on field goals 10 times last season and leading the America East with a 47.2 field goal percentage.

HELPING HANDS
Jordyn Owens has stood out early as a playmaker for the squad with five assists. The squad has historically shared the ball well, ranking in the top 30 nationally with a new DI program-best 15.6 assists per game last year.

CLOSING IN ON A MILESTONE
Three different River Hawks are all closing in on the prestigous 1,000 Point Club. Christian Lutete is the closest, needing just 120 points to reach the milestone.

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
In the six years that UMass Lowell has been part of the America East Conference, the team has exceeded its preseason rankings more than any other team in the league. In combining how many spots above or below its preseason pick a team has finished from 2013-19, the River Hawks have finished 14 spots higher than expected, with the next closest team at just five.

THE TRUTH OF OUR YOUTH
Although the team has a large incoming class, Coach Duquette says this is as talented of a freshman class as he's had here. "The biggest thing I look for in a newcomer is does he play with confidence? This group, more than any I've had, has shown that they have confidence, they believe that they are good Division I players and they don't play with fear."

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Since beginning 2014-15, 29 of the squad's 59 wins have been decided by seven points or less. The team has also trailed in the second half in 33 games during that same time frame before battling back to earn the victories.  

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
The River Hawks will be led by tri-captains in 2019-20, as the team unanimously voted for Christian Lutete, Josh Gantz and Obadiah Noel.
 

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