River Hawks Surge Ahead: A Dynamic Second Half Secures Victory Over Boston University, 83-71

LOWELL, Mass. – Freshman Martin Somerville (Bowie, Md.) equaled his personal best with six three-pointers and a total of 22 points, as the UMass Lowell men’s basketball squad (10-4) employed an effective second half to triumph over Boston University (5-7), 83-71, on Saturday, December 21 at Costello Athletic Center.
 
Although the matchup included nine changes in the lead and seven instances of tied scores, with BU ahead by as much as 13, the River Hawks achieved 72% shooting in the second period to distance themselves for the win. The team also demonstrated excellent ball movement, achieving a season-high 24 assists.
 
“This was an excellent victory today and I’m really pleased for my players,” stated Head Coach Pat Duquette. “That was a strong BU team, well-coached. They really pressured us in the first half and had us slightly flustered, I would say more than a lot of teams we’ve faced, so props to them. Our guys persevered through the challenges and came out in the second half effectively sharing the ball. It was so enjoyable to see the ball circulate. Everyone got to score and we were able to take higher-percentage shots because of it. I believe we’re a very good team when we distribute the ball like that and locate the open player. We recorded 24 assists, which is a fantastic stat for us, so a great victory. We’ll take some much-needed time off to relax and spend time with our families and prepare after Christmas.”
 
Fifth year Max Brooks (Waldorf, Md.) contributed 20 points in the game, along with a career-best six assists and a team-leading seven rebounds. Classmate Yuri Covington (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) added 14 points, while senior Cam Morris III (Alexander City, Ala.) concluded with 10.
 
Morris III recorded the River Hawks’ initial points of the game, as BU established an early 9-2 advantage. Somerville came off the bench and disrupted that stretch with an open three-pointer, but the Terriers grew their lead to as much as 13 at 18-5 with 11:05 left in the first half.
 
Somerville and senior Xzavier Lino (Phoenix, Ariz.) collaborated for an 11-2 run for the River Hawks to reduce the deficit to 20-16 at 6:12. The Terriers maintained the lead, ahead by five again, before the home team scored eight of the last 11 points of the half, including a basket from fifth year Quinton Mincey (Upper Marlboro, Md.) in the closing minute to even the score at 27-27 heading into the intermission.
 
Brooks netted the first points of the second half, and even though the teams were tied four more times, Morris III executed an and-1 to provide the River Hawks a 36-35 lead three minutes in. Both teams continued to trade shots, changing the lead back and forth four times and being knotted again before Covington and Somerville dropped threes to sandwich a putback from Brooks, putting the home team up 49-41 with 13:23 remaining.
 
The Terriers got back within six on two occasions, but Somerville and Brooks countered with seven consecutive points to establish a 58-45 advantage at 10:54. Moments later, the River Hawks stretched the gap to 66-51 after back-to-back baskets from Mincey and Brooks with seven minutes left. In the closing minutes, Covington tallied the team’s final seven points to help clinch the victory.
 
The River Hawks will be inactive until Monday, December 30, when they conclude non-conference play against Emerson. The tipoff for that match is set for 2 p.m.