In a shocking turn of events, UMass Lowell traveled to the Broadview Center and handed UAlbany a 10-point loss, winning 89-79 in a America East conference matchup. This upset victory was a significant statement for the River Hawks, as they defeated a UAlbany team that was predicted to win by 6.8 points according to CHD Scout. The actual outcome was a far cry from the predicted 76-70 score in favor of the Great Danes, with UMass Lowell's high-powered offense proving to be too much for UAlbany to handle.
Victor Okojie's Double-Double Marks 5th of the Season
The game was closely contested in the first half, with UMass Lowell taking a slim 39-38 lead into the break. However, the River Hawks came out on fire in the second half, scoring 50 points and outpacing UAlbany's 41. Victor Okojie was the catalyst for UMass Lowell's offense, posting an impressive 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead his team to victory. Okojie's performance was matched by UAlbany's Amir Lindsey, who tallied 23 points and 7 assists in a losing effort. Lindsey's teammate, Okechukwu Okeke, also had a strong game with 20 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the River Hawks' balanced attack.
CHD Scout Report Card
INCORRECTPredicted
Final
UMass Lowell's win was a major upset, considering UAlbany's higher net ranking and home-court advantage. The River Hawks' victory will likely send shockwaves through the America East conference, as they proved that they can compete with any team on any given night. For UAlbany, this loss will be a tough pill to swallow, as they were expected to win and gain momentum in the conference standings.
The implications of this game are significant, as both teams are fighting for positioning in the conference tournament. UMass Lowell's win will undoubtedly boost their resume, despite being a Quadrant 4 victory. On the other hand, UAlbany's loss will be a Quadrant 4 defeat, which could hurt their chances of making a deep run in the tournament. With both teams currently sitting outside of the top 300 in net ranking, every game is crucial in terms of building their tournament resumes.