It’s anarchy in #AEHoops! For the first time in conference history, the No. 4 and No. 6 seeds will play for the America East men’s basketball title as No. 6 UMass Lowell and No. 4 Hartford spurred upset wins on Saturday in the #AEPlayoffs semifinals. Both teams are seeking their first-ever conference title.
The sixth-seeded River Hawks came back from 16 points down to stun top-seeded UMBC while the fourth-seeded Hawks shot lights out on their way to an upset win at second-seeded Vermont. It’s the first time in conference history that neither of the top two seeds will reach the championship game.
UMass Lowell will visit Hartford next Saturday, March 13 in a battle for a conference championship at 11 a.m. on ESPN2. The league champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
For full playoff coverage, including box scores, highlights, photos and more, visit Hercules Tires #AEPlayoffs Central.
#6 UMass Lowell 79, #1 UMBC 77
- UMass Lowell overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to shock UMBC and advance to the league title game for the first time in program history.
- The River Hawks trailed 51-35 with 15:34 left but scored 44 points over the game’s final 15 minutes.
- Obadiah Noel’s free throws with 40 seconds left broke a 76-all tie and gave the River Hawks their first lead since early in the game.
- UMass Lowell is just the third No. 6 seed to advance to the championship game joining the 2006 Vermont and 2009 UMBC squads.
- Connor Withers scored a career-high 28 points and tied the tournament record with nine three-pointers.
- Obadiah Noel, a first-team All=Conference selection, added 22 points.
- First-team all-leaguer R.J. Eytle-Rock led UMBC with 18 points.
#4 Hartford 71, #2 Vermont 65
- Hartford shot 63 percent from the field and held off a late charge from Vermont to reach the championship game for the second-straight year.
- Hartford shot 25-of-43 from the field, including 10-of-19 from three-point territory.
- The Hawks are in the championship game for the second-straight year and third time overall.
- Hartford led 32-31 at halftime and used 20-9 run to grow an 11-point advantage early in the second.
- Vermont stormed back and closed the gap to two on three occasions, but could not tie the contest.
- Austin Williams scored 18 of his game-high 25 points in the second half.
- Second-team All-Conference standout Traci Carter added 22 points with 16 of those coming in the second half.
- America East Player of the Year Ryan Davis led Vermont with 16 points.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
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