Wednesday, November 16 vs. Sacred Heart
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LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team (2-1) will wrap up a three-game, multi-team event on Wednesday against Sacred Heart (2-1) after opening the tournament with a pair of road games.
A WIN WOULD
A win against the Pioneers would improve the River Hawks' record to 6-3 against Sacred Heart at the Division I level, including two straight wins. It would also mark the second year in a row that UMass Lowell began the season 3-1 overall and 2-0 at home.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Four different River Hawks are averaging double-digit scoring, as Abdoul Karim Coulibaly leads the way with 15.3 points and is averaging 11 rebounds per game. Right behind him, Everette Hammond is averaging 13 points, including a season-high 23 against Fisher. Rounding out the double digit scorers are Yuri Covington and Ayinde Hikim, who are averaging 11.3 and 10.3 points, respectively.
LAST TIME OUT
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly recorded a career-high 18 points, as UMass Lowell came up just short at Big Ten foe Rutgers on Nov. 12. Despite trailing by as many as 18 early in the second half, the River Hawks maintained their composure and showed their resilience by going on to outscore their hosts, 27-19, and make it a six-point game with two minutes remaining. Coulibaly shot 58% (7-12) from the floor and added eight rebounds in the contest. Max Brooks added 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for his sixth career double-double, in addition to three blocks.
WINNER WINNER
The team started the season 2-0 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 is averaging 50.5% so far to rank 63rd in the nation.
SHARING IS CARING
The River Hawks have boasted at least eight scorers in each of their first three games, including 10 in each of the first two outings. In the contest 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). Coulibaly sits tied for first in the nation in double-doubles (2), while ranking sixth in the country in total rebounds (33).
DEFENSE WINS GAMES
Coach Duquette has made defense a huge point of emphasis for his program again this year. The team is currently 14th in the nation in total rebounds and 21st for field goal percentage defense.
ON HIS BLOCK
Max Brooks, who owns the program's Division I single-season record for blocks (67), leads the team so far again this year with five.
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