UMass Lowell River Hawks Clipped, 74-63, at New Hampshire

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DURHAM, N.H. – Redshirt-sophomore Bryce Daley (Pittsfield, Mass.) registered a team-best 15 points, as UMass Lowell (7-9, 6-6 AE) was clipped, 74-63, by New Hampshire (9-8, 8-6 AE) to wrap up this weekend’s two-game America East series.

“This was another hard-fought game against UNH, which is exactly what I’ve come to expect after eight years in this league,” said Head Coach Pat Duquette. “Their team is just tough. They don’t give up and they get after it. If you’re going to beat them, you’re going to have to be really good. I thought we were really good yesterday, and given who we had available, I thought we were pretty good today.”

The second half proved to be the difference in this one, as the lead changed nine times and the teams were tied seven times before the Wildcats took the advantage for good. Sophomore Kalil Thomas (New Orleans, La.) went coast-to-coast to make it just a four-point game with 2:15 left on the clock, but UNH closed the day on a 9-2 run to seal the decision.

“We made a run with a few minutes left, but they just kept coming at us,” added Duquette. “When you play these back-to-back games, sometimes it becomes whose will can stand the longest because everybody’s tired. It was a great college basketball game and UNH just played a little better today.”

Daley was joined in double-figures by sophomore Connor Withers (Manassas, Va.), who finished with 12 points, and Thomas, who chipped in with 10. Freshman Anthony Blunt (Bowie, Md.) added a season-best nine points, as well.

The River Hawks’ first five points of the afternoon came by way of Daley, helping the team jump out in front. The Wildcats kept the margin within four, but Daley continued to lead the UMass Lowell attack, hitting buckets on back-to-back possessions and setting up junior Allin Blunt (Bowie, Md.) for a triple to put the visitors ahead, 16-8, with 10:45 remaining in the first half.

New Hampshire responded with an 11-2 run to take the upper hand for the first time in the contest. Anthony Blunt put the River Hawks right back on top, but the teams traded the lead six times in the final seven minutes of the period. Daley would then drive to the hoop to beat the buzzer and send the teams into the break knotted at 31-31.

Withers drained a three early in the second to force the first of four stalemates in the first six minutes. However, Jayden Martinez sparked a quick, 7-2 spurt to give UNH the breathing room it needed at 49-44 with 12:46 still to go. The home team was able to stretch its buffer to double-figures and fend off the continued River Hawk pressure down the stretch.

The River Hawks are slated to play on the road again next weekend, February 13-14, at UAlbany.