Thursday, January 6 vs. NJIT (ESPN3 - 6 p.m.)
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LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team will host NJIT in its first America East home contest of the season on Thursday evening.
A WIN WOULD
A win would mark the third straight victory at home for the River Hawks, while improving the team's mark to 5-1 overall in friendly confines this season. It would also give the team its second consecutive win in an America East home opener.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Kalil Thomas is averaging 11.2 points per game to pace the squad.
Max Brooks, who adds 9.8 points, boasts a team-best 5.7 rebounds per game and 21 blocks.
Justin Faison adds 37 assists, while
Everette Hammond totals 23 steals.
LAST TIME OUT
After 13, first-half lead changes, the final 20 minutes proved to be the difference, as UMass Lowell fell, 68-63, in the 2021-22 America East Conference opener at Binghamton on Jan. 2. Despite trailing by as many as eight late in the second half, the River Hawks worked their way back within a bucket inside of the final minute, but a strong finish to an 80% (20-25) day at the foul line secured the outcome for the home team.
Kalil Thomas led the way offensively for the River Hawks, going 5-for-7 from beyond the arc en route to a career-high 21 points.
Ayinde Hikim added 13 points, while
Justin Faison totaled two assists and two steals.
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 8-0 so far when winning the tip.
THREAT ON THREES
For the second time this season,
Kalil Thomas sunk a personal-best five made three-pointers at Binghamton en route to a career-high 21 points. He is shooting almost 40% from beyond the arc this year to rank fourth in the conference.
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 have only allowed more than 57 points five times this season and are first in the league (24th in the nation) in scoring defense. The team held Fisher to an all-time program-low 38 points on Nov. 27.
SHARING IS CARING
The performance against MCLA on Dec. 11 featured a program-record seven, double-digit point scorers. Nine of the team's 13 games so far have featured eight or more point scorers, including five games with at least 10 scorers.
SHARP SHOOTERS
The River Hawks, who have ranked in the top two in the America East in shooting percentage for the previous three years, are currently third in the league with a 44.9% clip.
Max Brooks is pacing the conference, shooting 61.9% from the field.
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF
Capitalizing on turnovers was not only a major part of the win at Merrimack on Dec. 4, but has been a theme throughout the season. After averaging just over 11 points off turnovers last year, the River Hawks are boasting 17.5 per game this season.
ON HIS BLOCK
Max Brooks, who tied a DI program record with four blocks against Rivier on Nov. 9, totals 21 so far this year. He leads the conference and is 69th in the country with 1.75 blocks per game.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
So far this year, UMass Lowell owns a 6-0 record when leading at halftime.
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