In a shocking turn of events, New Jersey Institute of Technology pulled off a stunning 73-64 upset over UMass Lowell at the Tsongas Center, handing the River Hawks a devastating loss. This matchup was expected to be a closely contested game, but NJIT's dominant performance caught many off guard. The Highlanders' victory is all the more impressive considering UMass Lowell's slight edge in the rankings, with the River Hawks sitting at 327 in the net rankings compared to NJIT's 332.
The game got off to a blistering start for NJIT, with the Highlanders racing out to a 36-17 lead at halftime. UMass Lowell struggled to find its footing, with Angel Montas Jr.'s 11 rebounds and 22 points being a rare bright spot for the River Hawks. Montas Jr.'s impressive performance was not enough to overcome the Highlanders' balanced attack, however, as Ari Fulton led the charge with 24 points. Sebastian Robinson chipped in with 20 points of his own, while Melvyn Ebonkoli added 8 points and 9 rebounds to help seal the win.
UMass Lowell made a valiant effort to mount a comeback in the second half, outscoring NJIT 47-37. However, the River Hawks' deficit proved too great to overcome, and the Highlanders held on for the 9-point victory. The loss is a significant blow to UMass Lowell's tournament hopes, as it drops the River Hawks to 8-12 on the season. Meanwhile, NJIT improves to 9-12, and while the Highlanders still have a long way to go, this win is a crucial step in the right direction.
The absence of a pre-game prediction only adds to the surprise of this outcome, as many would have expected UMass Lowell to emerge victorious given its slight ranking advantage. Instead, NJIT's upset win sends shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, serving as a reminder that anything can happen on any given night.
As the season wears on, games like this will have a significant impact on tournament resumes. For UMass Lowell, this loss is a Quad 4 defeat, which will not help its chances of earning an at-large bid. Meanwhile, NJIT's win is also a Quad 4 victory, but it's a much-needed one for the Highlanders as they look to build momentum and improve their own tournament prospects. While neither team is likely to be a major player in the tournament conversation, this result will undoubtedly be a key factor in shaping their respective resumes as the season enters its final stretch.