UMass Lowell Blows out Binghamton on Senior Day, 79-53

Read Time:2 Minute, 52 Second

Seven members of the UMass Lowell Men’s Basketball team had their final curtain calls in front of 759 family and friends at Costello Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon. For the second straight game, the River Hawks (17-13, 6-9) looked like the team that most people thought could be league champions when all is said and done. The 79-53 win over the Binghamton Bearcats (15-15, 7-8 ) was a statement win from start to finish. They would shoot 61.1% for the game (33-of-54) while holding Binghamton to 47.8% (22-of-50). On the defensive end, the River Hawks would force the Bearcats into four shot clock violations for the game.

Do not be misled by only three River Hawks players ending the game in double figures. They had this one under control from the opening jump. They would hold Bearcats forward Gavin Walsh to only 8 points and 6 rebounds. The last time the two played each other, Walsh had a monster game of 23 rebounds and seven points. UML played that game without Cam Morris III who was out with an illness. He along with Max Brooks (22 points, 5 rebounds) took care of Walsh on Saturday afternoon.

UML jumped out to a 13-9 lead and Yuri Covington had 5 of those points, Brooks had six himself. They would expand the lead as the first half went along. Anthony Blunt’s steal and score gave the River Hawks their first double-digit lead of 22-11 with 8:13 to play in the first half. A three-point play from Morris gave them a 20-point lead of 36-16 with 3:41 left. They went to the locker room up 40-25. Binghamton’s best run of the first half was a 7-0 run at the end of the half. A three-pointer from Ben Callahan-Gold (10 points) was followed by consecutive baskets from Evan Ashe (11 points). The Bearcats were down 15 at the break.

The Bearcats were 2-9 when trailing at the half and after Saturday made it 2-10. UMass Lowell never took their foot off the gas pedal. In the second half, they shot 55.2% from the field (16-of-29) and were 4-of-11 from deep 36.4%. A Quinton Mincy (20 points) 3-ball with 13:23 left in the game gave the River Hawks their first 30-point lead of the game at 61-30. It would grow to its biggest margin of 33 (63-30) on two made free throws by Brooks with 12:35 to play. From there, it was about finishing the game and giving the seniors their final bows before their fans.

After the game, head coach Pat Duquette thought this was “A better performance than against Bryant on Thursday night.” Brooks echoed those thoughts and said “I will fight with these guys every day. I know they have my back.” Mincy called it “A blessing to be with these guys.” Anthony Blunt may have said it best after the game. He talked about a legacy that this team is still chasing. He wants to be a part of that and he knows so does everyone else. They wrap up the regular season at Maine on Tuesday night before the playoffs begin next Saturday. Tymu Chenery had 11 points for the Bearcats, while Martin Somerville had 13 for UMass Lowell.