Saturday, December 31 at NJIT (2 p.m.)
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NEWARK, N.J. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team (12-2) opens the 2022-23 America East slate at NJIT in a New Year's Eve matinee.
A WIN WOULD
A win against the Highlanders would improve UMass Lowell's record to 13-2, continuing the program's best start since 2002-03. Additionally, it would give the River Hawks a win in their conference opener for the third time in four years.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Two River Hawks are averaging double-digits, as
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly leads the way with 13.5 points per game, while adding a team-best 8.8 rebounds. Behind him,
Everette Hammond averages 12.4 points on 45% shooting from the field. The primary playmaker this season,
Ayinde Hikim totals 59 assists with 9.9 points.
Max Brooks adds 9.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and paces the team with 27 blocks. Â
LAST TIME OUT
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly set a new personal best with 21 points, as the UMass Lowell men's basketball team (12-2) battled to a physical, 68-60 victory against in-state foe Boston University (7-6) on Dec. 21. The game went back-and-forth the majority of the way with 10 lead changes and six tied scores, including at 55-55 for the last time, before Coulibaly gave the River Hawks the lead for good, as the home team outscored their opponent, 13-5, in the final five minutes. Coulibaly shot an impressive 75% from the floor with a career-high nine field goals. He added 11 rebounds on the night for his fifth double-double of the year.
Yuri Covington added nine points, while
Ayinde Hikim tallied eight.
STARTING STRONG
The River Hawks reached 10 wins this season faster than they have in any season since the 2002-03 campaign when they won 14 in a row to open the year. This is the first time the River Hawks will start conference play at the top of the standings.
GOING STREAKING
The River Hawks put together a nine-game win streak from Nov. 16 through Dec. 10, marking a new DI program best and the program's longest streak since a 13-game stretch during the 2008-09 season.
CRACKING THE RANKINGS
The River Hawks were ranked in the Mid-Major Top 25 for the first time ever during the week of Dec. 12 when they moved into the No. 25 spot. In the most recent rankings, the River Hawks continued to move up, reaching the No. 21 spot.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
The River Hawks are 7-0 at home so far, which is good for another program best at Division I and is the program's best home start since starting 10-0 during the 2002-03 season. The team earned its ninth consecutive win in a home opener in 2022-23. With the 7-0 record at home so far, UMass Lowell is now 155-94 in front of River Hawk Nation since 2003-04.
FREE IS FOR ME
Everette Hammond went a perfect, 10-for-10 at the foul line at Sacred Heart on Dec. 3, marking a single-game high across the America East this season. In 2022-23, he is boasting an 80% clip from the charity stripe.
SHARP SHOOTERS
The River Hawks, who shot a season-high 63.5% from the field in the win against Emerson, have outshot their opponents in every game this year. The team surpassed 50% shooting in eight out of 14 games so far, as well. The team is averaging 50.2% from the field to rank 14th in the nation.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS TRIP
Earlier in the season, the River Hawks finished a perfect, three-game road trip . The last time the River Hawks won three straight on the road was 2020-21.
TWO-WAY PLAY
The River Hawks are proving to be more balanced than ever before, leading the America East on both ends of the floor in field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense.
RIM PROTECTION
The River Hawks are ranked ninth in the nation for defensive rebounds per game right now.
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly ranks 25th in the country individually in offensive rebounds per game (3.42).
STEALING THE SHOW
The River Hawks have done a good job disrupting the opposition so far this year, averaging a DI program-best 8.2 steals per game.
Ayinde Hikim leads the team with 17 steals.
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