Saturday, November 12 at #RV Rutgers
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team (2-0) continues its participation in a multi-team event this weekend. The squad opened the in-season MTE with an 89-62 win at Columbia on Thursday. Next, they head to New Jersey to take on Rutgers for only the second time in school history.
A WIN WOULD
A win against the Scarlet Knights would mark the first victory in the series for the River Hawks since the teams first met during the 2015-16 season. It would also mark the program's first win against a Big Ten opponent and the first time that the River Hawks have started a season 3-0 since moving to the Division I level.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Four different River Hawks are averaging double-digit scoring, as Everette Hammond leads the way with 17.5 points per game. Abdoul Karim Coulibaly is averaging a double-double with 14.0 points and 12.5 rebounds. Rounding out the double digit scorers are Yuri Covington and Ayinde Hikim who are averaging 16 and 11.5 points, respectively.
LAST TIME OUT
Yuri Covington recorded a game-high 20 points off the bench as UMass Lowell took down Columbia, 89-62, in their first road win of the season. The River Hawks shot 50% (9-18) from behind the arc, while defensively they held the Lions to 23% (6-26) from deep. Abdoul Karim Coulibaly recorded his second career double-double (13 points and 13 rebounds) in as many games. Rounding out the primary scorers for UMass Lowell, Ayinde Hikim tallied 13 points and Everette Hammond recorded 12 points, while adding four assists.
FUN FACT
The last time the River Hawks and Scarlet Knights squared off, staff member Isaac White was a UMass Lowell student-athlete.
WINNER WINNER
The team is 2-0 to start the season for just the second time since the program moved to Division I in 2013-14. The victory against Fisher marked the River Hawks' third straight season-opening victory and ninth consecutive win in a home opener.
SHARP SHOOTERS
The River Hawks shot a season-high 57.4% from the field in the win at Columbia. The team has shot over 50% in both games so far and is averaging 54.1% so far to rank 41st in the nation.
SHARING IS CARING
The River Hawks have boasted 10 scorers in each of their first two games. In the outing against Fisher, the team totaled six, double-digit scorers for the first time since 2017-18 (at Maine, 1/31/18).
DOUBLING UP
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly logged his first two collegiate double-doubles in as many games to begin his career with the River Hawks. On opening night against Fisher, he posted a career-high 15 points and 12 rebounds, and followed up with 13 points and a personal-best 13 rebounds against Columbia. He becomes the first River Hawk to record consecutive double-doubles since 2019 (
Christian Lutete, 2/5/19-2/13/19, 3).
DEFENSE WINS GAMES
Coach Duquette has made defense a huge point of emphasis for his program again this year. The team is currently 13th in the nation for rebounding margin and 34th for field goal percentage defense.
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