UMass-Lowell beats Wagner in overtime thriller in home opener

A fun atmosphere and an entertaining game took place on Saturday afternoon. The UMass Lowell River Hawks basketball team opened the home portion of the 2018-19 schedule with an 88-84 victory over Wagner at Costello Athletic Center.

The game featured the home debut of Lowell’s own Alex Rivera, who in front of family and friends, played thirty minutes and scored 14 points. The best part of all was zero turnovers to go with that performance.

A three so pretty, it deserves a second look! #AEHoops pic.twitter.com/Y6nwXPCQbP

— UMass Lowell MBB (@RiverHawkMBB) November 10, 2018

Rivera was one of four River Hawk players who finished in double figures as UMass Lowell shot 47% from the field for the game. They also outscored Wagner 27-14 off the bench, and 11-7 in fast break points.

When asked after the game about his first collegiate game in front of the home folks, Rivera said: “it felt great, felt comfortable out there”.

UMass Lowell Head Coach Dan Duquette called it “a great college game”. He was happy about his team’s ability to make plays down the stench in the second half and in overtime.

The River Hawks jumped out to a 13-4 lead thanks to some good shooting early, but Wagner struggled from the start. A three-point play from freshmen Darius Henderson (eight points), gave the home team a ten point lead at 16-6 with 12:54 left in the first half.

Wagner took their first lead of the game at 24-23 on one of two free throws made by Nigel Jackson (15 points) with 6:53 to go.

A six nothing run by the River Hawks gave them the lead back by five 29-24 with five to play. Wagner responded with a nine nothing burst to get the lead back at 33-29 with two minutes until halftime.

Wagner went to the locker room with the lead thanks to two free throws made Tyler Plummet (seven points), to offset a made jump shot by Ryan Jones (nine points, eight assists). At halftime Wagner led by two, 36-34.

Wagner jump-started the second half by knocking down three balls. Jackson and Romone Saunders (20 points) had the visitors up by five 41-36 two minutes into the second half.

Bad news arrived for Wagner in the form of an ankle injury suffered by Jackson that would knock him out of the rest of the game. He would really be missed down the stretch.

Lowell regained the lead 49-48 with 13:14 left in second half. Wagner took the lead back on next possession on a three-point bomb by Devin Liggeons, (12 points). It was 51-49 visitors.

Wagner then went on a 10-0 run that at the time looked like it was going to put the game away. Saunders hit two treys in the run.

Noel puts the River Hawks back on top! #AEHoops pic.twitter.com/HqNlOamSAr

— UMass Lowell MBB (@RiverHawkMBB) November 10, 2018

Lowell chipped away at the lead taking it back on a 10-0 spurt of their own with Obadiah Noel dropping nine of those ten points. It was 62-61 with six minutes to go.

The last six minutes went back and forth. Wagner had a chance to win it in regulation, but Saunders missed a three at the buzzer. It was then free basketball at Costello.

In OT, Lowell came out firing back to back threes from Christian Lutele (13 points) and Rivera gave Lowell a four-point advantage at 79-75. That combination would deliver for the River Hawks again to give the home team an 83-79 lead with two minutes to play.

A five to nothing run had the home crowd on the edge of their seats. AJ Sumbry ( 16 points) delivered a putback dunk and Tyrone Nesby hit a three that got Wagner within one at 83-82 with 1:18 left.

The River Hawks defense came up with the stops in the final minute to get their first win of the year against one defeat. Wagner falls to 0-2.

Josh Gantz chipped in with 13 points for Lowell. Elijah Davis had 10 for Wagner before fouling out.