Wednesday, January 26 vs. UAlbany (ESPN+ - 7 p.m.)
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LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team will square off against the UAlbany Great Danes for the second time in two weeks on Wednesday night.
A WIN WOULD
A win against the Great Danes would split the season series. It would also mark the second straight home victory for the River Hawks and improve their 2021-22 record to 6-2 in friendly confines. Â
LEADING THE FLOCK
Kalil Thomas is averaging 10.6 points per game to pace the squad.
Max Brooks, who adds 9.5 points, boasts a team-best 5.9 rebounds per game and 39 blocks.
Justin Faison adds 49 assists, while
Everette Hammond totals 27 steals.
LAST TIME OUT
Senior
Allin Blunt notched 12 points, as UMass Lowell came up just short, 67-61, at America East rival New Hampshire. The outing proved to be a game of runs with 11 lead changes before the home team pulled in front for good halfway through the second. Blunt was joined in double figures by sophomore
Quinton Mincey, who added 10 points and was a perfect, 2-for-2 from three-point territory. Graduate student
Justin Faison dished out three helpers, while senior
Everette Hammond tallied a team-best six rebounds. As a whole, the River Hawks controlled the glass, outrebounding the Wildcats, 40-37, with a 16-10 advantage on offensive boards.
TURNING UP THE PRESSURE
The River Hawks are doing a good job forcing the ball out of their opponents' hands this season. The team currently leads the league in turnover margin (+2.3) and is boasting 15.0 points off turnovers per game.
ON HIS BLOCK
Max Brooks set a new, all-time program record with 10 blocks at UAlbany on Jan. 12. He leads the conference and is 34th in the country with 2.29 blocks per game.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
So far this year, UMass Lowell owns a 7-0 record when leading at halftime.
CLEANING THE GLASS
UMass Lowell is strong crashing the boards on the offensive end, leading the America East in offensive boards per game (11.3) and rebounding offense (37.9).
PUTTING UP A FIGHT
So far, five of the team's eight losses, including its four conference losses have featured double-digit lead changes.
TIPPING POINT
Starting off with the ball in their hands has proved to be a recipe for success for the River Hawks this year, as the team is 10-3 so far when winning the tip.
CALM UNDER PRESSURE
In 2021-22, the River Hawks are 3-1 in games decided by five points or less.
DEFENSE WINS GAMES
This year, Coach Duquette has made defense a huge point of emphasis for his program, which typically leads the America East in several offensive categories. So far, the River Hawks are first in the league and 22nd in the nation in FG% defense. The team held Fisher to an all-time program-low 38 points on Nov. 27.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
The team earned its eighth consecutive win in a home opener in 2021-22. Additionally, with a 5-2 record so far, UMass Lowell is now 145-91 in front of River Hawk Nation since 2003-04.
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