UMass Lowell River Hawks Best Massachusetts, 85-80

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AMHERST, Mass. – Senior Ayinde Hikim (Washington, D.C.) tallied a career-high 23 points, as the UMass Lowell men’s basketball team (10-1) staved off a late retaliation attempt to take down in-state rival Massachusetts, 85-80, on Thursday night in the annual Kennedy Cup matchup.

Although the River Hawks led by as many as 15 on the night, the home team cut it to just one with less than three minutes on the clock before junior Yuri Covington (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) hit a pivotal three to help the visitors seal the outcome.

With the win, the River Hawks continue their best start and extend their longest win streak in the program’s Division I history. It also marks the first victory over Massachusetts in the DI era.

“It was a great atmosphere and a great college game with a lot of drama,” said Head Coach Pat Duquette. “I thought we were in control most of the game. They went on a run and I thought we just couldn’t buy a break. I’m proud of my guys to keep their composure, it’s hard to when you haven’t seen a crowd or atmosphere like this. It’s a great win for our program, and I’m happy for our guys.”

Hikim, who also paced the squad with four steals, was one of four double-digit scorers for the River Hawks. Behind him was graduate student Everette Hammond (Silver Spring, Md.), who sank four threes en route to 20 points. Graduate student Allin Blunt (Crownsville, Md.) and Covington chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

After Massachusetts tallied the first basket of the game, UMass Lowell quickly built a double-digit lead off a 17-2 run that was capped off by back-to-back threes from Covington and senior Connor Withers (Manassas, Va.) only eight minutes in. Minutes later, both teams found themselves in early foul trouble, combining for nine made free throws in under a three-minute span. With 5:26 remaining in the first half, and UMass Lowell up 28-17, Blunt hit three shots from behind the arc to record the next nine points for the River Hawks and give the visitors a 13-point advantage. In the final minutes before halftime, the Minutemen hit two three-pointers to cut the UMass Lowell lead to 38-30 at the break.

Coming out of the locker room, the River Hawks quickly found their rhythm offensively, tallying the first seven points of the half in less than two minutes. The two teams proceeded to trade baskets, but with 15 minutes remaining in the second half, Massachusetts rattled off a 7-2 run to cut the UMass Lowell lead down to single digits. Junior Quinton Mincey (Upper Marlboro, Md.) retaliated with a three-pointer of his own, giving the River Hawks the 54-43 lead.

With 6:31 remaining in the game, Hammond ignited a 7-0 River Hawk spurt with his fourth three of the night, giving UMass Lowell the 74-64 advantage. However, the Minutemen answered with an 11-2 run, cutting the visitors’ lead to one with only three minutes to play. In the final two minutes, Covington hit his second three of the night, giving the River Hawks a four-point cushion. After the hosts made one of two free throws to make it a one-possession game, sophomore Cam Morris III (Alexander City, Ala.) made a layup with 45 seconds remaining to help seal the game.

Next up, the River Hawks will return home to take on St. Francis Brooklyn on Saturday, December 10. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at the Tsongas Center.