BOSTON, Mass. - The UMass Lowell men's basketball team (7-4) hits the road for the final time in 2023 when they head to Boston University to take on the Terriers on Friday, December 22 at 12 p.m.
A WIN WOULD
A win against Boston University would improve UMass Lowell's record to 8-4, good for the second-best start in the program's DI history. It would also move the River Hawks to 5-5 all-time against the Terriers.
LAST TIME OUT
Senior
Quinton Mincey led four, double-digit scorers with 12 points, as UMass Lowell faced a 57-54 setback against Central Connecticut State at the Tsongas Center on Saturday evening. Senior
Yuri Covington added to the offense with 11 points, while senior
Ayinde Hikim chipped in with 10 points. Junior
Cam Morris III finished with 10 points, as well, in addition to a team-high 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
LEADING THE FLOCK
Four River Hawks are averaging double-digits, as
Ayinde Hikim leads the squad with 17.6 points per game. Behind him,
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly adds 12.8 points and a team-best 6.8 rebounds per game, while
Max Brooks adds 10.3 points. Starting six of 11 games, Cam Morris chips in 10.2 points alongside 5.6 rebounds. Picking up from where he left off last year as the primary playmaker, Hikim paces his squad with 55 assists, as well, while Brooks totals 21 blocks, so far.
BELIEVING IN SECOND CHANCES
Against LIU, the River Hawks grabbed a season-high 17 offensive rebounds that led to 21 second-chance points, which was also good for a season-best mark.
OWNING THE GLASS
Rebounding was not only the story of the game against LIU, but has been a major point of success all season. The River Hawks have surpassed 50 rebounds three times already this season, including twice in the last four games. The team's 55 rebounds vs. Fisher was the most in a game since grabbing 57 vs. MCLA on Dec. 11, 2021. UMass Lowell is currently 21st in the nation for rebound margin (+9.5).
LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
In the victory against Fisher, the River Hawks exploded offensively, finishing with 117 points, marking the most points in a single game for UMass Lowell since 1995 when they scored 133 vs. Assumption. In the contest, the River Hawks also totaled 47 made field goals, surpassing the 45 field goal mark for the first time since 1977 (50, vs. Nichols).
IN THE RANKINGS
In the first NET rankings release of the year, the River Hawks made history with a ranking of 44th in the country. As of Dec. 18, they are ranked 132nd, currently the highest ranked America East team.
INSIDE JOB
The River Hawks' have relied on their scoring from down low early this season, with an average of 45.5 points per game coming from inside the paint.
PERIMETER POWER
Heading into this season, Coach Duquette said one of the most important keys to success for his team this year would be becoming an elite perimeter defense team. So far, so good, as the River Hawks are ranked fourth in the nation in three-point percentage defense.
TAKING IT TO THE CUP
After averaging 10.7 points last season,
Ayinde Hikim is boasting 17.6 points per game so far in 2023-24, good for second in the America East. He also is tied for first in the league with five, 20+ point games this year. He is the first River Hawk to average 17 points per game or more since
Obadiah Noel averaged 21.4 in 2020-21.
SHARP SHOOTERS
As a team, the River Hawks are shooting 48.0% from the field after surpassing 48% shooting in six of 11 games so far. Individually, Coulibaly has been hard to make miss, as the senior is boasting a 71.1 field goal percentage in five games.
NOT WASTING TIME
The River Hawks have been quick to attack this season, leading at the half in seven of their 11 games. The team is 6-1 when holding the advantage going into the locker room so far.
ON MY BLOCK
Max Brooks logged a season-high four blocks in the win at Georgia Tech on Nov. 14. He is currently 40th in the country with 21 total blocks. As a whole, the River Hawks are 42nd in the nation in blocks per game.
Â
