December 27 at Loyola (Md.) (7 p.m.)
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December 29 at No. 11 Michigan (2 p.m.)
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LOWELL, Mass. - Back to work following the holiday break, the River Hawks will wrap up the non-conference slate with a pair of road games this week beginning at Loyola (Md.) on Friday.
A WIN WOULD
A win on Friday would give the River Hawks their third straight victory against the Greyhounds and a 3-1 record in the four-year, home-and-home series. It would also mark their first win against a Patriot League opponent this year.
LAST TIME OUT
Graduate student
Christian Lutete and junior
Obadiah Noel each logged 16 points in a 74-62 setback for UMass Lowell against Boston University on Dec. 21. Junior
Jordyn Owens and freshman
Ron Mitchell rounded out the double-digit scorers in the team's final non-conference home game of the year with 10 and 11 points, respectively. Mitchell matched a personal-best with four assists in the contest, as well. The River Hawks were within five at halftime, but the Terriers led by as many as 22 in the second half en route to the decison.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Through 13 games,
Christian Lutete is leading the team with 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Obadiah Noel follows with 15.6 points and a team-best 17 steals.
Josh Gantz adds 9.0 points per game.
Jordyn Owens paces the squad with 40 assists, while Withers boasts a team-best 16 blocks.
TWICE AS NICE
For the first time at the Division I level, the River Hawks had two players record a double-double against Boston University on Dec. 21, as
Christian Lutete picked up his third of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds, and
Ron Mitchell added the first of his career with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
SHARP SHOOTERS
The River Hawks, who are shooting a league-best 44.6 percent from the floor, have shot better than 45 percent on field goals six times this season, including a 59.3 percent clip against St. Francis Brooklyn.
UNDER CONTROL
Prior to the start of the season, Coach Duquette said that a better assist/turnover ratio was a big goal for the team. So far, the River Hawks have followed through with taking care of the ball and are first in the league in that category (1.13).
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
This season, a total of five of the team's games have been decided by five points or less. Since beginning 2014-15, 31 of the squad's 64 wins have been decided by seven points or less. The team has also trailed in the second half in 36 games during that same time frame before battling back to earn the victories. Â
BACK AND FORTH WE GO
The team is used to back-and-forth battles this season with six games so far featuring nine or more lead changes, including a season-high 19 lead changes in the win against CCSU on Dec. 1.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
The River Hawks have started 2019-20 stronger than ever on the boards and are currently third in the America East with 38.8 rebounds per game, in addition to a +2.2 rebounding margin, as well.
HELPING HANDS
Jordyn Owens dished out a personal-best seven assists against both CCSU (12.1) and Sacred Heart (12.4), setting a new single-game high for the team this season. Owens paces the team with 40 assists in 2019-20. As a team, the River Hawks are currently ranked second in the America East with 15.0 assists per game.
ROAD WARRIORS
The River Hawks recorded their most wins away from home during the Division I era last season (7). At 2-2 so far this year, the program has now accumulated a 102-143 road record since 2003-04. Â
COMEBACK KIDS
The young UMass Lowell squad has shown its resiliency this season, battling back to erase double-digit deficits four times. The largest margin the team overcame was 19 points against Dartmouth on Nov. 17. The River Hawks have also won two of those four contests, most recently defeating Brown after trailing by 12 on Nov. 26.
NATIONAL NEWS
The River Hawks are ranked 46th in the nation for total assists (195). Individually,
Christian Lutete is ranked 29th for total points (249).
STEALING THE SHOW
After going more than a year without logging double-digit steals, the River Hawks have already done so in two games this season, most recently against Brown on Nov. 26. The team is currently second in its conference with 6.38 steals per game.
