BOSTON – Home teams claimed three of four victories on Thursday night, as Vermont, UMass Lowell and Bryant all stayed unbeaten in conference play. All four contests were decided by eight points or less.
Vermont 77, UMBC 72 – Box Score
On national TV the Catamounts fought off a pesky UMBC squad to earn a 77-72 home victory and extend their #AEHoops win streak to 17. UVM led by 13 points at the half, but was outscored by eight in the final 20 minutes to provide the five-point win. Marcus Banks made six threes for 20 points and eight boards to lead UMBC. Four Catamounts scored in double figures, led by Matt Veretto with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists. TJ Hurley added 14 points and three rebounds.
New Hampshire 79, Maine 74 – Box Score
The Black Bears hit a three at the half to tie it 34-34 and appeared to be on the way to victory, taking a 64-53 lead with six minutes left. However, UNH went on a 13-0 run to grab a 66-64 lead with 3:39 left. Maine managed to take back the lead, however, the Wildcats answered and made all six free throws in the final 20 seconds to clinch the win. Clarence Daniels led the offense with 30 points and seven rebounds, while Jaden Clayton had 13 points, six assists and three rebounds to lead four in double figures for Maine.
UMass Lowell 70, NJIT 62 – Box Score
The Highlanders fought back from an early deficit, finishing the first half on an 8-3 run for a 35-34 lead at the break. They pushed the lead to six points in the second, but the River Hawks countered with a 21-5 run to capture a 10-point lead. They never gave up the lead, though NJIT closed the gap to four in the final two minutes. Brayden O’Connor had 22 points and three rebounds for UMass Lowell, while Quinton Mincey added 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Mekhi Gray led the offense with 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
Bryant 77, Binghamton 69 – Box Score
The Bulldogs appeared to be in control pushing their lead past 20 points in the first half thanks to a 21-5 run. They extended it to 56-32 with 15:15 left in the contest, but Binghamton clawed back into the contest to trail just 63-52 with five minutes left. The Bearcats got as close as six in the final 10 seconds, but it was too little, too late. Sherif Gross-Bullock had 24 points, while Daniele Rivera added 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Nehemiah Benson paced Binghamton with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Saturday, January 13
UMBC (0-2 AE, 5-12) at UMass Lowell (2-0 AE, 11-4) – 1 PM
The Retrievers continue their road trip looking to snap a seven game losing streak, but face a UMass Lowell team which hasn’t lost a home conference game since February of 2022 and is one of the best defenses in league.
NJIT (0-2 AE, 4-10) at Vermont (2-0 AE, 12-5) – 2 PM
The Highlanders put a scare into UMass Lowell and look to repeat the performance at UVM. The Catamounts have won 24 straight home #AEHoops games and have the best scoring defense in league play.
Binghamton (0-1 AE, 8-6) at UAlbany (1-0 AE, 9-7) – 4 PM
It’s a battle for New York State as Binghamton hits the road to face UAlbany. The Bearcats will try to get its offense going earlier, while the Great Danes have proven to be tough at the Broadview Center, where they are 4-0.
Bryant (2-0 AE, 10-7) at New Hampshire (1-1 AE, 9-6) – 7 PM
The top two scorers in the league match up in a contest with possible playoff implications down the road. Sherif Gross-Bullock has 65 points through two games, while Clarence Daniels has 52, leading two of the top three offenses in the league.
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