The UMass Lowell River Hawks (12-2) found themselves in uncharted waters. For the second week in a row, they are ranked in the Collegeinsider Top-25 poll at #25. Their NCAA Net ranking is inside the Top 100 at 88. Both of these accomplishments are a first for this program at the division one level, of which they have been a part for ten years. So with a bullseye on them, they entertained the Boston University Terriers (7-6) on Wednesday afternoon at Costello Athletic Center. In what would be a physical contest from start to finish, the River Hawks, backed by the fifth double-double of the season from Abdoul Karim Coulibaly of 21 points and 11 rebounds, beat Boston University 68-60.
This was “big boy” basketball at its best. Lowell took only nine three-point shots for the game, making two of them. Once again, their inside presence played a big role in coming away with the win. They scored 48 points in the paint and after the game coach Pat Duquette said “we needed to give Coulibaly and Max Brooks more touches in the second half.” That strategy worked as the River Hawks scored 40 second-half points and outscored the Terriers by ten. Even though UMass Lowell would spend more time with the lead in this game, there were still six ties and 10 lead changes. Most of that took place in the first twenty minutes. The River Hawks picked up their second win of the season when trailing at the half (30-28 BU). Another sign that this River Hawk team has turned a corner in a good way.
Not only was Coulibaly getting it done on the offensive end, but he was also playing defense as well. His first two baskets of the game came off steals. He would have four steals on the day. Those plays gave his team a 4-0 lead two minutes in. The first tie of the half came on a three-ball from Fletcher Tynen to tie the game at 8-8 with 15:49 to play. The back-and-forth nature of this first half continued until Terriers guard Ethan Brittain-Watts (16 points) knocked down a three to give his team their first lead of the game at 18-17 with 9:25 left. Part of an 8-0 run by BU that included another three-ball by Jonas Harper off a fast break to make it 23-17 Terriers with 8:36 left. Lowell responded with a 7-0 rum of their own to retake the lead at 24-23. Layups from Quinton Mincy and from Ayinde Hikim were followed by a three from Connor Withers to get the lead back. The half would stay close, with the Terriers taking a slight lead on free throws from Tynen and a layup in the paint by Nevin Zink. It was 30-28 Boston University headed into the locker room.
Duquette’s message of getting the ball to his big men was heard loud and clear. The River Hawks attempted only one 3-pointer by Everette Hammond with 16:43 left in the game. Hammond missed the shot. Lowell took the ball to the basket at every turn, going 14-for-24 from the field in the second half. Most of these shots were from 10 feet in. Hikim and Mikey Watkins, back from missing six games with a knee injury, kept getting the ball inside to their big men. Coulibaly tied the game at 32-32 on a second chance bucket in the paint. The half went through a bit of a back-and-forth phase until the River Hawks went on a 9-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 45-38 with 11:40 left to play. Coulibaly, off a Hammond miss, got the lead back. Yuri Covington got two at the free throw line, then made a sweet dish to Cam Morris III for a driving layup. Withers off another second chance, and the home team was rolling. But the Terriers mounted a comeback behind their best player Walter Whyte (14 points, eight rebounds). Whyte would score seven points in a 9-2 BU run with a couple of free throws followed by a layup and a 3-pointer. He almost tied the game off of a steal, but his fast break dunk attempt clanged off the back of the rim and went out of bounds. Bad break for BU, a good break for UMass Lowell. The break did not last long as Zink tied the game at 55-55 with 5:20 left on a three-point play Coulibaly gave Lowell the lead back on a tough inside layup 57-55 with 4:11 left. The basket was part of an 8-0 River Hawks run that put the game on ice for Lowell. They would hit their free throws down the stretch to pick up the 68-60 win.
After the game, Coulibaly said, “the game was very physical in the paint:” Both he and Covington are happy being in Lowell. Not just because they are winning but because they both are being treated “like family.” Covington “likes the way coach Duquette handles things.” He does not yell as much but can still get his point across. Coulibaly believes the culture in Lowell is different and better than the one he came from at St. Bonaventure. Much more “Love” in Lowell. Both players are looking forward to what is next, which is America East Conference play.
For the UMass Lowell River Hawks, that begins next Saturday at NJIT.
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