Wednesday, January 18 vs. UMBC (6 p.m.)
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LOWELL, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team (15-4, 3-2 AE) plays its first of two straight home games this week when UMBC comes to Lowell on Wednesday, January 18.
A WIN WOULD
A win against the Retrievers would improve UMass Lowell's record to 16-4, continuing the program's best start since 2002-03. It would set a new program record for wins in a season at the DI level, as well. A win would also move the River Hawks to 4-2 in conference play, tying another Division I program record.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Three River Hawks are averaging double-digits, as
Everette Hammond leads the way with 12.7 points per game on 44% shooting from the field. Right behind him,
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly averages 11.8 points, while adding in a team best 8.1 rebounds. The primary playmaker this season,
Ayinde Hikim totals 77 assists with 10.6 points.
Max Brooks adds 8.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and paces the team with 39 blocks. Â
LAST TIME OUT
Everette Hammond totaled 16 points as UMass Lowell fell to Binghamton in the final minute, 66-65. The game proved to be a back-and-forth battle, featuring seven tied scores and five lead changes. Although the River Hawks jumped out to an early eight-point lead, the Bearcats clawed back into the game, taking the lead for the first time with a minute remaining in the first, but threes from
Allin Blunt and Hammond secured a buffer for the visitors heading into the break. UMass Lowell stayed on top for most of the second half, with a three by
Connor Withers giving the team a five-point edge with 3:30 remaining in the game. However, Binghamton responded, going on an 8-0 spurt to take a 63-60 advantage with only a minute to play. The River Hawks fired right back, as Hammond drilled a shot from beyond the arc, knotting up the game with 54 seconds on the clock. The game was tied for the final time with 20 seconds to play, but a free throw made by Jacob Falko lifted the Bearcats over the River Hawks.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
The win against Vermont on Jan. 11 was the 15th victory for the team this season, tying the Division I program record for total wins in a season with another 13 games still to go in the regular 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. Up as high as No. 17 during the week of Jan. 2, the team checked in at No. 25 in the most recent release.
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.
FROM DOWNTOWN
The River Hawks turned in their best performance from long range this season to earn just their second win in the last 13 meetings against the Catmounts on Jan. 11. The team, which sunk 13 threes on 59.1% shooting against Vermont, now leads the league with a 38.4% clip from beyond the arc in 2022-23, including at least eight threes in eight of their 19 contests. While
Ayinde Hikim went a perfect, 4-for-4 from three-point territory against Vermont,
Yuri Covington has drained a team-best 29 threes this year.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
The River Hawks are 9-0 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. Additionally, the team earned its ninth consecutive win in a home opener in 2022-23. With the 9-0 record at home so far, UMass Lowell is now 157-94 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 17 of their 19 games this season. The team surpassed 50% shooting in nine out of 19 games so far, as well. The team is averaging 48.8% from the field to rank 17th in the nation.
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