Wednesday, February 16 vs. NJIT (ESPN+ - 7 p.m.)
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NEWARK, N.J. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team looks to continue its momentum in the back half of the conference schedule when the squad visits NJIT for a mid-week contest on Wednesday.
A WIN WOULD
A win would split the season series against the Highlanders. It would also give the River Hawks a 3-1 record in their four most recent outings this month.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Allin Blunt is averaging 10.9 points per game to pace the squad.
Max Brooks, who adds 10.5 points, boasts a team-best 5.8 rebounds per game and 52 blocks. Ayinde HIkim adds 57 assists, while
Everette Hammond totals 31 steals.
LAST TIME OUT
Ayinde Hikim notched a game-high 20 points to lead a huge, second-half offensive outburst for UMass Lowell in an 88-71 victory against UMBC on Feb. 12 at the Tsongas Center. After trailing by three at the break due to 85% shooting from beyond the arc by the Retrievers, the River Hawks picked it up on both sides of the ball to outscore their opponents by 20 in the second and snap a six-game UMBC win streak. Hikim went 10-for-15 (66.7%) from the field on the night and added six assists to his stat line.
Max Brooks chipped in with 17 points and three blocks, while
Allin Blunt totaled 10 points. As a team, the River Hawks outrebounded the visitors, 28-17, thanks to a game-high eight boards from junior
Kalil Thomas (New Orleans, La.).
PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME
The River Hawks have won two of their last three outings. After scoring over 80 only once against a DI opponent earlier this season, the team has reached at least 80 points in all three of its last outings. During that stretch, the team is shooting 57.6%, compared to 43.6% previously. The team is also boasting a +12.7 rebounding margin against opponents in the last three contests.
SHARP SHOOTERS
The River Hawks, who have ranked in the top two in the America East in shooting percentage for the previous three years, shot a season-high 64.4% (38-59) from the field against UMBC on Feb. 12. The team has shot over 50% in its last three outings and is currently second in the league with a 45.3% clip.
Max Brooks is pacing the conference, shooting 64.3% from the field.
THREAT ON THREES
The River Hawks' shooting has ignited from long range as of late, averaging 49.0% (25-51) from beyond the arc during the three game stretch from Feb. 2-7.
CLEANING THE GLASS
UMass Lowell logged a season-high 17 offensive boards against Hartford on Feb. 7. The team has been strong on the offensive glass all season, leading the America East in offensive rebounds per game (11.1).
COMING ON STRONG
Allin Blunt, who logged his 100th career game at UMBC on Jan. 8, is playing some of his best basketball in his senior season. The forward, who logged the first 20-point games of his career against Maine and UAlbany, averaged 16.3 points in the seven outings between Jan. 19-Feb. 9.
TURNING UP THE PRESSURE
The River Hawks are doing a good job forcing the ball out of their opponents' hands this season. The team is currently second in the league in turnover margin (+1.6) and first in steals per game (7.4).
HALL OF FAME PERFORMANCE
John Hall shot an impressive 81.8% (9-11) from the floor at Stony Brook on Feb. 9 to lead five double-digit scorers for the River Hawks. He set a new personal best with nine field goals en route to a season-high 20 points.Â
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 62nd in the nation in FG% defense. The team held Fisher to an all-time program-low 38 points on Nov. 27.
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