River Hawks Host BU to Close Out Non-Conference Home Slate

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LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell River Hawks men’s basketball team (11-2) is set to host Boston University ahead of the holiday break in their final non-conference home game of the season.

A WIN WOULD
A win against the Terriers would improve UMass Lowell’s record to 12-2, continuing the program’s best start since 2002-03. Additionally, the win would mark the team’s first against Boston University since the 2017-18 season.

LEADING THE FLOCK
Three River Hawks are averaging double-digit scoring, as Everette Hammond leads the way 12.8 points per game, while shooting 44% from three-point territory. Tied with him, Abdoul Karim Coulibaly is averaging 12.8 points and adds a team-best 8.6 rebounds. Ayinde Hikim rounds out the double-digit scoring with 10.1 points. He has also been the primary playmaker so far with 57 assists on the year. Max Brooks adds 9.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and paces the team with 25 blocks.

LAST TIME OUT
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly led the River Hawks in scoring with 16 points, although the team’s nine-game win streak came to a halt in a hard-fought, 77-75 decision at Rhode Island. Max Brooks added 15 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Everette Hammond chipped in with 11 points, while Ayinde Hikim and Yuri Covington rounded out double-digit scorers with 10 points each. The River Hawks built a quick lead after they tallied the first seven points of the game, but midway through the first the Rams retalliated with a 6-0 run to tie the game. The two teams traded baskets through the remainder of the half, but a three from Quinton Mincey with a minute remaining gave the visitors a four-point edge at the break. UMass Lowell came out firing to open the second half, making their first four shots to extend the buffer to double-digits. However, Rhode Island picked away at the lead and tied the game with 30 seconds remaining, forcing overtime. In the extra period, both Rhode Island and UMass Lowell found their rhythm, making over 50% of their shots, but two free throws in the final seconds sealed the Rams’ victory.

GOING STREAKING
The River Hawks put together a nine-game win streak from Nov. 16 through Dec. 10, marking a new DI program best and the program’s longest streak since a 13-game stretch during the 2008-09 season.

STARTING STRONG
The River Hawks reached 10 wins this season faster than they have in any season since the 2022-23 campaign when they won 14 in a row to open the year.

CRACKING THE RANKINGS
The River Hawks were ranked in the Mid-Major Top 25 for the first time ever during the week of Dec. 12 when they moved into the No. 25 spot.

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
The River Hawks are 6-0 at home so far, which is good for another program best at Division I since posting the same home start in 2018-19. The team earned its ninth consecutive win in a home opener in 2022-23. With the 6-0 record at home so far, UMass Lowell is now 154-94 in front of River Hawk Nation since 2003-04.

FREE IS FOR ME
Everette Hammond went a perfect, 10-for-10 at the foul line at Sacred Heart on Dec. 3, marking a single-game high across the America East this season. In 2022-23, he is boasting an 80% clip from the charity stripe.

SHARP SHOOTERS
The River Hawks, who shot a season-high 63.5% from the field in the win against Emerson, have outshot their opponents in every game this year. The team surpassed 50% shooting in eight out of 13 games so far, as well. The team is averaging 50.4% from the field to rank 13th in the nation.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS TRIP
Earlier this month, the River Hawks finished a perfect, three-game road trip from Dec. 3-8. The last time the River Hawks won three straight on the road was 2020-21.

TWO-WAY PLAY
The River Hawks are proving to be more balanced than ever before, leading the America East on both ends of the floor in field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense.

RIM PROTECTION
The River Hawks are ranked 10th in the nation for rebounds per game right now. Abdoul Karim Coulibaly ranks 23rd in the country individually in offensive rebounds per game (3.55).