Wednesday, January 11 vs. Vermont
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LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team (14-3, 2-1 AE) returns home to take on conference opponent Vermont on Wednesday, January 11.
A WIN WOULD
A win against the Catamounts would improve UMass Lowell's record to 15-3, continuing the program's best start since 2002-03. A win would also move the River Hawks to 9-0 at home, another Division I program record.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Three River Hawks are averaging double-digits, as
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly leads the way with 12.4 points per game, while adding a team-best 8.3 rebounds. Right behind him,
Everette Hammond averages 12.3 points on 44% shooting from the field. The primary playmaker this season,
Ayinde Hikim totals 70 assists with 10.2 points.
Max Brooks adds 8.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and paces the team with 35 blocks. Â
LAST TIME OUT
Cam Morris III and
Yuri Covington scored 14 points each, as UMass Lowell fell to UAlbany, 89-63. After an early basket from Coulibaly put the River Hawks on the board, the Great Dane offense found its rhythm, going on a 16-5 run, including four baskets from beyond the arc, to jump out to an 18-7 edge. After a quick 6-2 burst by the visitors, UAlbany fired right back with a 9-2 spurt to post a 29-15 advantage with 7:15 remaining in the first. Looking to chip away at the lead, the River Hawks put together a 14-6 run, ignited by an and-1 from
Everette Hammond. However, with only 50 seconds remaining in the half, UAlbany connected on a three, extending its buffer to 38-29 at the break. The Great Danes opened the second half strong, going on a 24-4 run to break away, 62-35, with 13:14 remaining in the game. UMass Lowell continued to battle, as Morris III followed with six straight points, chipping away at the margin, but in the final ten minutes, the Great Danes continued to knock down their shots, preventing a River Hawk comeback attempt.
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 started conference play at the top of the standings. Additionally, the team has started AE Hoops action 2-0 just twice previously, in 2016-17 and 2014-15.
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 came in at the No. 19Â spot.
SHARING IS CARING
Coach Duquette has said this is his deepest and most talented team yet. Eight different River Hawks have already led the team in scoring this year, and six of those have led the team in scoring in at least two games. The River Hawks have also boasted at least eight scorers in each of their first 16 games, including 11 against Emerson. In the contests against Fisher and Emerson, the team totaled six, double-digit scorers for the first time since 2017-18 (at Maine, 1/31/18). At least four River Hawks have scored in double figures in seven of the 16 games.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
The River Hawks are 8-0 at home so far, which is good for another program best at Division I and is the program's best home start since going 10-0 during the 2002-03 season. The team earned its ninth consecutive win in a home opener in 2022-23. With the 8-0 record at home so far, UMass Lowell is now 156-94 in front of River Hawk Nation since 2003-04.
CALM UNDER PRESSURE
The River Hawks have trailed in the second half in just four of their wins so far this year, each time putting their resiliency and maturity on display. Most recently, the team trailed by 10 at NJIT on Dec. 31 with less than four minutes to play before mounting a last-minute comeback.
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 16 of their 17 games this season. The team surpassed 50% shooting in eight out of 17 games so far, as well. The team is averaging 49.7% from the field to rank 13th in the nation.
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