In a lopsided victory, UMass Lowell University River Hawks (UMass Lowell) cruised past Binghamton University Bearcats (Binghamton) 92-79. The 13-point margin was a decisive blow to the Bearcats' chances, as they struggled to contain the River Hawks' offense. The game's outcome was reflected in the final scores, with UMass Lowell pulling away in the second half, outscoring Binghamton 49-44.
The River Hawks' victory marked a significant upset, considering their NET ranking of #319 compared to Binghamton's #360. The 43-35 first-half lead set the tone for the rest of the game, as UMass Lowell maintained a strong advantage throughout. Binghamton's efforts were ultimately not enough to overcome the River Hawks' dominant performance.
Angel Montas Jr. led the UMass Lowell offense, scoring 30 points on 12-15 shooting from the field, including 2-4 from three-point range. His efficiency from the free throw line was a concern, as he converted only 4 of 7 attempts. Montas also grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 1 assist in the game. Despite his strong scoring performance, Montas' limited ball movement and rebounding numbers suggest that he may not have been the focal point of the UMass Lowell offense, at least not in terms of creating opportunities for his teammates.
Austin Green provided a well-rounded performance, contributing 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists. His shooting percentages from the field and free throw line were respectable, converting 6 of 9 field goal attempts and 8 of 11 free throw attempts. Green's rebounding total was particularly impressive, as he outrebounded the Binghamton team by a significant margin. Shawn Simmons II, meanwhile, chipped in with 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, shooting 5-10 from the field. Simmons' shooting percentage was not as efficient as Green's, but his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game was valuable for the UMass Lowell offense.
Wes Peterson Jr. led Binghamton with 21 points, shooting an impressive 75% from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. However, his overall performance was somewhat muted by his limited contributions in other areas, as he only grabbed three rebounds and dished out one assist. While his scoring output was a bright spot, it ultimately wasn't enough to sway the outcome in Binghamton's favor.
Jeremiah Quigley had a well-rounded game, scoring 14 points and pulling down three rebounds, but it was his 11 assists that stood out most. Unfortunately, his passing ability was largely neutralized by UMass Lowell's strong team defense, as Binghamton struggled to capitalize on the opportunities he created. Meanwhile, Zyier Beverly managed 19 points, but his 1-for-6 performance from the free throw line was a significant letdown, as it prevented him from fully maximizing his scoring potential.
Notably, Darrel Yepdo's performance was an anomaly in his otherwise strong season, as his 13 points and 7 assists were accompanied by a paltry 0 rebounds, a significant departure from his season average of 3.2 rebounds per game. This imbalance suggests that Yepdo's scoring and playmaking skills were on full display, but his usual supporting role in the paint was absent. Conversely, Xavier Spencer's output fell short of expectations, with a season-low 9 points and a notable drop in rebounds from 4.5 per game to just 2. This downturn, coupled with his 7 assists, indicates that Spencer's usual scoring punch was muted, but his playmaking skills remained sharp.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a 6.1-point UMass Lowell victory ultimately proved accurate, with the River Hawks securing a 13-point win. While the margin of victory was wider than anticipated, the outcome itself was consistent with the forecast.
The decisive factors in UMass Lowell's victory were their exceptional shooting and dominance on the glass. The River Hawks' effective field goal percentage ballooned to 66.7% from their season average of 51.0%, a stark contrast to Binghamton's eFG% of 68.5% which is actually higher than UMass Lowell's average. Furthermore, UMass Lowell's 3PT% of 50.0% far exceeded their season average of 33.7%, while Binghamton's 54.5% 3PT% is also higher than their season average. Additionally, UMass Lowell's OREB rate of 30.8% significantly outpaced Binghamton's 9.1%, underscoring the River Hawks' control of the boards and their ability to secure crucial second-chance opportunities.
The victory for UMass Lowell has little bearing on their NCAA Tournament resume, as this Quad 4 matchup will not significantly impact their NET ranking. However, the win does help to maintain a degree of separation from Binghamton, who are now facing an even more daunting path to postseason consideration. Binghamton's loss drops them further into the cellar of the NET rankings, and their 6-23 record, combined with a 0-3 mark against Quad 1 opponents and 0-2 against Quad 2 foes, makes it increasingly unlikely that they will be invited to the tournament.