Spencer’s Career Day Propels River Hawks Past Great Danes in America East Opener

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LOWELL, MA – The America East basketball season tipped off Saturday afternoon at the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex, where the UMass Lowell River Hawks (6–10, 1–0) secured an 83–71 victory over the UAlbany Great Danes (4–12, 0–1). The win was fueled by a career-high 23-point performance from junior guard Xavier Spencer, who led a balanced River Hawks attack that featured three starters in double figures.

Dominating the Paint

While the first half saw five ties and two lead changes, UMass Lowell eventually asserted control by dominating the interior. The River Hawks outscored the Great Danes 50–44 in the paint, spearheaded by senior forward Austin Green.

Green finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds, marking his ninth double-figure scoring game against Division I opponents this season. “For the most part, we controlled the game,” head coach Pat Duquette said following the win.

The River Hawks also received a significant emotional and physical boost from the return of junior forward Shawn Simmons II. After missing six of the last seven games due to injury, Simmons returned to the starting lineup for the first time since November 26. He made an immediate impact, scoring the game’s first basket on a dunk and finishing with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks

“He sees the game well and does not need the ball [to be effective],” Duquette noted regarding Simmons’ versatile performance in 27 minutes of action.

The Spencer & Montas Connection

Xavier Spencer was the undisputed story of the afternoon. Recording his second 20-point game of the year (surpassing his previous high of 20 against Sacred Heart), Spencer credited his success to “playing in the flow.” His final stat line was a masterclass in efficiency: 9-of-15 from the field, 3-of-4 from deep, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals.

His backcourt partner, Angel Montas Jr., was equally relentless, contributing 16 points and 9 rebounds on 8-of-14 shooting. Both guards consistently attacked the rim, resulting in a steady stream of high-percentage looks in the paint and the mid-range.

Defensive Discipline

Defensively, the River Hawks were remarkably disciplined, committing only two team fouls in the entire first half. While UAlbany’s sophomore star Amir Lindsay managed 19 points and 7 assists—surpassing his season average—UML’s perimeter defenders made him work for every touch.

The Great Danes shot a respectable 46.8% from the field, but the River Hawks’ perimeter pressure limited them to just 27.8% (5-of-18) from beyond the arc. “We are getting better at playing team defense,” Spencer said, while Montas pointed to a high-intensity practice earlier in the week as the catalyst for their defensive focus.

The Great Danes’ Late Surge

UMass Lowell appeared to have the game put away midway through the second half. A three-point play by Austin Green extended the lead to 20 (50–30) with 15:32 remaining. The lead eventually swelled to a game-high 24 points at 61–37 following a free throw by JJ Massaquori with 10:50 left.

However, UAlbany refused to go quietly. Behind the late-game shooting of Isaac Abidde (11 points) and Tarique Foster (8 points), the Great Danes mounted a furious 10-minute rally. A Foster three-pointer with just 52 seconds remaining cut the UML lead to 79–71, forcing a River Hawks timeout.

“We need to keep getting better, especially against ball pressure,” Duquette admitted regarding the late-game slip. UML eventually settled the nerves at the charity stripe, as junior guard Daniel Yepdo sank four clutch free throws to ice the game. Despite an 0-for-10 shooting night, Yepdo contributed a vital “floor game” with three assists and three steals.

Looking Ahead

The River Hawks now take their 1–0 conference record on the road for two straight games, beginning Thursday night against the defending tournament champions, Bryant.

UAlbany will look to bounce back next Saturday when they return home to host the Bryant Bulldogs.