Hartford, UMass Lowell Battle to Be 1st Time Men's #AEHoops Champion

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There is guaranteed to be a first-time America East men’s basketball champion crowned on Saturday when No. 4 Hartford and No. 6 UMass Lowell battle for the 2021 Hercules Tires America East Men’s Basketball Championship Game.

The Hawks and River Hawks both played spoiler in the semifinals, spurring upset victories on the road to set up the title game matchup. It will pit the #4 and #6 seeds against each other for the first time and be the first #AEHoops title game that doesn’t include either of the top two seeds.

The tradition of morning #AEHoops title games continues on Saturday at 11 a.m. with national television coverage on ESPN2. Roy Philpott and Noah Savage have the call. Westwood One will also broadcast the game on national radio with Brandon Gaudin and Kyle Macy calling the action. The game can be heard on stations around the country and Sirius/XM Channel 81 as well as online.

Follow @AEHoopsNews on Twitter for real-time updates during the game.

Watch Live | Live Stats | Bracket | #AEPlayoffs Central

The Matchup

Hartford (14-8) and UMass Lowell (11-11) are both playing for their first-ever America East title.
It is the first-ever matchup between a #4 seed and #6 seed in tournament history in any round.
This is the third-straight year and third time overall that the two teams will meet in the postseason. Hartford won both the previous matchups, taking quarterfinal contests in 2019 and 2020.
Hartford holds an 11-7 all-time advantage in the series and has won eight of the last 11 meetings. The teams have split each of the last four matchups.
The teams split the season series, with the River Hawks winning the first matchup of the season on Jan. 9, 71-62, and the Hawks taking the second game, 75-58, on Jan. 10.
Obadiah Noel has paced UMass Lowell through the first three games of the playoffs averaging 24.5 ppg in the tournament while Austin Williams has led Hartford (21.6 ppg).

No. 4 Hartford Hawks (14-8)

Hartford has advanced to the championship game for the second-straight year and third time in program history (2020, 2008).
The Hawks beat #9 Binghamton in the first round, #5 UAlbany in the quarterfinals, and #1 UMBC in the semifinals on their way to the title game.
A win would give Hartford its first-ever conference title and NCAA championship berth.
The Hawks are looking to match the 2013 and 2014 fourth-seeded UAlbany teams as the lowest seed to ever win the league title.
This is the first time Chase Family Arena has played host to the championship game.
The Hawks’ five #AEPlayoffs wins the last two years are the most in the league.
Hartford is 26-32 in the tournament all-time.
Hartford is one of the top defensive teams in the league, ranking second allowing just 63.9 points per game. The Hawks are first in three-point field goal percentage defense (.293).
Traci Carter earned second-team All-Conference and All-Defensive honors. He ranks third in the league in assists (3.5 assists, leads the lead in steals (2.5 SPG), and is 11^th in scoring (11.6 ppg).
Austin Williams leads Hartford in scoring at 13.6 points per game and earned third-team All-Conference honors.

No. 6 UMass Lowell River Hawks (11-11)

UMass Lowell is making its first-ever championship game appearance.
The River Hawks beat #7, Stony Brook, in the first round, #3 New Hampshire in the second round, and #1 UMBC in the semifinals en route to the championship game.
UML overcame 16-point deficits in the wins over the Seawolves and Retrievers.
The River Hawks’ three #AEPlayoff wins this season are their first three in program history. UMass Lowell was 0-3 before this season in tournament contests.
UML transitioned to Division I from Division II and became an America East member ahead of the 2013-14 season. The River Hawks became championship eligible in 2018.
A win on Saturday would ensure the first NCAA Tournament berth in UMass Lowell men’s basketball history.
This is the third-ever championship game for a #6 seed (Vermont, 2006; UMBC, 2009). The River Hawks will try to become the first #6 seed, and the lowest in tournament history, to claim the crown.
UMass Lowell ranks second in the conference shooting 46 percent from the field.
Obadiah Noel leads the conference in scoring at 21.8 points per game. He’s a two-time first-team all-leaguer.
Connor Withers is their second-leading scorer at 11.5 points per game.

Players to Watch
Traci Carter, Gr., G – Maine

Second-team All-Conference; Two-time All-Defensive Averaging 17.0 ppg & 4.0 apg in the #AEPlayoffs

Austin Williams, Sr., G – Hartford

Third-team All-Conference; 9^th in AE in scoring (13.6 ppg)
Averaging 21.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg in #AEPlayoffs

Obadiah Noel, Sr., G – Umass Lowell

Two-time first-team All-Conference selection
League leader in scoring; averaging 24.3 ppg in #AEPlayoffs

Connor Withers, So., F – UMass Lowell

Tied #AEPlayoffs record with 9 three-pointers in semis
Averaging 16.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg in #AEPlayoffs

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