December 21 vs. Vermont (5 p.m.)
Live Stats | Watch Live | Game Notes (PDF)
December 22 vs. Vermont (3 p.m.)
Live Stats | Watch Live | Game Notes (PDF)
LOWELL, Mass. - Following an 18-day break in the action, the UMass Lowell men's basketball team is set to host Vermont in the squad's 2020-21 home and America East Conference opener on Monday-Tuesday, December 21-22.
A WIN WOULD
A win against the Catamounts would give the River Hawks their first win in the conference opener since 2017 and their fifth since joining the America East in 2013-14. It would also mark the team's first victory against Vermont since 2016.
LAST TIME OUT
Darion Jordan-Thomas notched a team- and season-high 12 points in a 90-59 loss against North Carolina State at the Bubbleville Tournament hosted by Mohegan Sun on Dec. 3. Jordan-Thomas shot 5-for-8 from the field, in addition to pacing the team with five rebounds.
Salif Boudie logged a season-best 10 points, while
Obadiah Noel rounded out the 10-point scorers.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Obadiah Noel, the squad's lone senior, is pacing the River Hawks with 20.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and 18 total assists.
Connor Withers Darion Jordan-Thomas add 7.8 points apiece. Newcomer
Max Brooks boasts a team-best five blocks, as well as a field goal percentage of 69.2%.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
With its sixth consecutive win in a home opener in 2019-20 and an 8-9 record in friendly confines throughout last season, the team is now 138-85 in front of River Hawk Nation since 2003-04.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
The River Hawks have been quick to attack this season, scoring first in all four games so far, with the initial bucket coming from
Connor Withers in three of those contests.
BENCH PRESS(URE)
After averaging just 12.6 points off the bench last season, the River Hawks are showing off their newfound depth in 2020-21 with 26.3 points per game coming off the bench so far.
SIZE MATTERS
The River Hawks have typically been undersized compared to the competition, but this year's squad combines to make up the team's tallest roster since elevating to Division I by a half inch (77.4 inches). With this height, UMass Lowell is averaging 3.3 blocks per game.
SHARP SHOOTERS
The River Hawks, who led the America East in shooting percentage for the last two years, are shooting 42.6 percent from the field this year. The team shot a season-high 52.4% in the win against San Francisco on Nov. 25.
ON A ROLL
Obadiah Noel logged 25 points at Hartford on Feb. 15, 2020 to set the program's longest 10+ point streak at the Division I level. Including the first games this season, he has now scored in double digits for 30 straight games and counting.
PROVIDING A SPARK
Rookie
Anthony Blunt made his collegiate debut late in the game against NC State, scoring seven points on 3-for-4 shooting in the final eight minutes of play.
FIRST IMPRESSION
Max Brooks turned in a strong collegiate debut, scoring 12 points (5-for-6) off the bench against San Francisco. Including that performance, he leads the team with a 75.0 field goal percentage (12-16).
A WHOLE NEW LOOK
UMass Lowell's roster features eight newcomers in 2020-21, with an even split between rookies and transfer student-athletes. This matches the program's 2014-15 roster for the most newcomers in a season at the DI level.
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
UMass Lowell's 14-man roster features 11 underclassmen. However, seven of those underclassmen are sophomores who are already entering this season with substantial minutes and experience.
