UMass Lowell Wins 74-66 over LIU Brooklyn

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Game three of a six-game homestand for the UMass Lowell River Hawks had them taking on LIU Brooklyn at Costello Fieldhouse. A win over the Blackbirds would be the programs first and would keep UMass Lowell unbeaten at home on the young season. Both were accomplished as the River Hawks once again did damage in the paint (53 points), took care of the basketball, only 11 turnovers, and received a double-double from Junior Guard Ryan Jones, 13 points to go along with 10 rebounds. It all added up to another solid effort from the River Hawks as they won their fourth in a row 74- 66 over the Blackbirds.

Four in a row for the River Hawks with today's win against a tough LIU Brooklyn team! That's our best home court start since 2009-10! Check out the recap, highlights and postgame press conference here – https://t.co/yn3Am1dwTI #AEHoops #UnitedInBlue #RiseUp

— UMass Lowell MBB (@RiverHawkMBB) November 22, 2017

The win was accomplished despite shooting only 3-14 from deep. After the game, head coach Pat Duquette was happy with the way his team took the ball to the basket when the outside shot was not falling. He was also pleased with his team defense, which held LIU Brooklyn scoreless over the first seven minutes of the game. Not only did the home team get the job done in the paint, they also held a 26-9 advantage in points off turnovers, as the Blackbirds committed 19 for the game. They also got out and ran when they could and finished the game a plus-seven in fast break points 11 to 4.
While the Blackbirds struggled to start the game, the River Hawks did not, opening the game on a 13-0 run with Jones scoring ten of those thirteen points. As was the case on Sunday in their win over Cornell, the River Hawks got a contribution off the bench from R-So Connor Bennett who was perfect from the field (3-3), and the foul line (1-1). He gave his team some toughness around the rim by grabbing five boards, two of them offensive. Once UMass Lowell hit double figures for the first time, which was at the 13:48 mark left in the first twenty minutes, they kept it. The lead would balloon to 18, (32 to 14) on a Bennett layup off a pretty feed from Jones. The River Hawks would settle for a ten point lead at 36 to 26 heading to the locker room.
The second half started the exact opposite of the first. The Blackbirds would be the team getting off to a hot start ripping off the first eight points to pull to within two 36-34, and forcing UMass Lowell to call timeout. After the timeout, the River Hawks got it back together again bumping the lead back up to nine on a Jahad Thomas (24 points) jumper 44-35 with 15:26 left in the game.
LIU Brooklyn would not go away and began fighting back. They would cut the lead to four 59 to 55 on a Joel Hernandez (18 points) layup. The Blackbirds would make it a one-possession game on two occasions. The first time was after a Jamall Robinson (10 points) layup 61-59 Lowell. The second time came with a little over a minute left when Robinson knock down a three, one of six made by the team. 67 to 66 with 1:24 to play. The River Hawks would not be denied as they finished the game in style scoring the final seven points of the game. Final score, 74 to 66 UMass Lowell.

FINAL- Thomas turns on the burners and finishes with 24 points 8 rebounds and Ryan Jones posts a double-double in the 74-66 victory #AEHoops #UnitedInBlue #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/Qw0JPSQ1vw

— UMass Lowell MBB (@RiverHawkMBB) November 22, 2017

With the win, the River Hawks are off to their best start since the 2012-13 season when they also started 4-1. The 4-0 start at home is the best since they went 6-0 back in 09-10.
The Blackbirds got 21 from Raiquan Clark and UMass Lowell received 13 from Ricardo Perry. On Sunday game four of this homestand is played when Loyola (MD) travels in for a 2 pm tipoff.