Box Score (PDF)

LOWELL, Mass. – In a game that featured 19 lead changes, junior Obadiah Noel (Frederick, Md.) came up clutch with the game winner in the final seconds to help the UMass Lowell men's basketball team (4-5) stave off Central Connecticut State (0-8) in a 73-71 victory on Sunday.
 
Tied at 71-71 with time for one-possession left on the clock, Noel drove to the hoop and banked in a layup in the final five seconds to seal the win.
 
"I don't think we played very well and I think our guys feel it," said Head Coach Pat Duquette. "Just not enough focus and discipline defensively. I thought we kept letting them back into the game when we had chances to build separation. We've got to get better, so it's more about us than the result here. As long as our guys recognize that and are open to it, we'll go back to work tomorrow."  
 
Noel and freshman Connor Withers (Manassas, Va.) led the River Hawks with 16 points in the decision. Withers also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, while junior Jordyn Owens (Montclar, N.J.) dished out a personal-best seven assists. Graduate students Josh Gantz (Grove City, Ohio) and Christian Lutete (Silver Spring, Md.) chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
 
The Blue Devils built an early two-possession margin in the opening minutes of the contest before the River Hawks used 12 straight points, including a bucket from Gantz on either end of the run, to pull ahead, 20-13, with 9:47 remaining in the first half. However, the visitors responded with an 11-2 spurt of their own to regain the upper hand, 24-22, at 7:01.
 
Three lead changes saw the River Hawks back on top, and even though CCSU knotted the score at 31-31, freshman Ron Mitchell (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Lutete tallied back-to-back baskets to help the home team take a 38-35 edge into the break.
 
Central Connecticut opened the second half on an 11-2 run, taking their largest lead of the outing, but Withers and Noel combined for nine points to give their squad a 49-48 advantage.
 
Both sides battled to take control of the momentum with five more lead changes and two tied scored before a big dunk by Noel sparked eight in a row, giving the home team some breathing room, 67-62, at 5:07. The battle was not over yet, though, as CCSU took the lead once more in the final minute. Withers then knotted it up with a pivotal free throw with 30 seconds on the clock to set up the winning play by Noel.  
 
The Blue Devils still lead the all-time series, 10-4. The River Hawks are back in action on Wednesday, December 4 when they continue their homestand and host Sacred Heart at 7 p.m.