Hartford, UMass Lowell Earn #AEPlayoffs Semifinal Berths with Wins

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For the first time since 2013, the No. 1, 2, 4, and 6 seeds will play in the Hercules Tires America East Men’s Basketball semifinals as No. 4 Hartford and No. 6 UMass Lowell posted quarterfinal wins on Sunday.

The River Hawks got 28 points from Obadiah Noel and held off a late UNH charge to advance to the semis for the first time in program history. At Hartford, the Hawks put five players in double figures, led by Traci Carter’s 20, to reach the semifinals for the fourth-straight season.

The semifinals take place on Saturday, March 6 with UMass Lowell visiting No. 1 UMBC for a 2 p.m. contest and No 2. Vermont hosting Hartford at 4 p.m. Both games will air on ESPN+ or ESPN3.

For full playoff coverage, including box scores, highlights, photos, and more, visit Hercules Tires #AEPlayoffs Central.

#AEPlayoffs Quarterfinal Recaps
#6 UMass Lowell 72, #3 New Hampshire 64

#6 UMass Lowell (10-11) shot 55 percent from the floor to build a 21-point advantage and held off a late charge from #3 New Hampshire (10-9) to spur the upset.
The River Hawks are in the #AEPlayoffs semifinals for the first time in program history.
New Hampshire trailed 55-34 with 9:14 left but cut the deficit to three in the final minute.
Kalil Thomas’ three-pointer with 17 seconds left iced the game for the River Hawks.
It’s the first time since 2013 that the No. 6 seed beat the No. 3 and advanced to the semifinals.
Noel, a first-team All-Conference selection, finished with a game-high 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting and also pulled down seven rebounds.

at #4 Hartford 83, No. 5 UAlbany 77

In an offensive shootout where both teams shot over 50 percent from the field, No. 4 Hartford (13-8) put five players in double figures and held off No. 5 UAlbany (7-9).
Hartford is in the #AEPlayoffs semifinals for the fourth-straight year, a first in program history.
The Hawks led by as many as nine in the second half, but UAlbany tied the game at 60 apiece on Chuck Champion’s three-pointer with just over nine minutes left.
From there, Hartford outscored UAlbany by five and Traci Carter’s jumper with 58 seconds left sealed it.
Carter, a second-team All-America East choice, led Hartford with 20 points and added five rebounds and four assists. D.J. Mitchell added 17.
C.J. Kelly’s 18 points led five Great Danes in twin digits.

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