Duquette nets honor

Big crowd expected for Uml-maine game

BOSTON >> The historic season continues for the Umass Lowell men’s basketball team, as a record four team members garnered 2022-23 America East All-conference accolades and head coach Pat Duquette was named the Coach of the Year on Friday.

Duquette’s Coach of the Year honor marks the first ever America East major award for Umass Lowell.

Joining him in being recognized by the league was graduate student Everette Hammond (Silver Spring, Md.), who is just the second River Hawk ever to be named to the America East All-conference First Team.

Senior Abdoul Karim Coulibaly (Bamako, Mali) was tabbed All-conference Second Team, while graduate student Allin Blunt (Crownsville, Md.) earned a Third Team nod. Junior Max Brooks (Waldorf, Md.) rounded out the award winners with his second consecutive selection to the America East All-defensive Team.

“I am happy for and proud of our players who were recognized by the conference,” said Duquette. “They have worked hard, put the team first and deserve it. There are a lot of good teams and players in our league. I’m equally proud of some players who didn’t get mentioned. Ayinde (Hikim) is as big a part of our success as anyone and has willed us to win at times. Max’s energy is the fuel that drives our team many nights. Multiple guys off our bench have been major contributors to our team’s success.”

UML hosting Maine

LOWELL — The No. 2 seeded UML men’s basketball team (24-7) will host an America East playoff game for the first time when the River Hawks take on No. 7 Maine (13-16) in the quarterfinal round on Saturday (4 p.m.) at Costello Athletic Center.

The game is expected to be a sellout. The River Hawks haven’t lost all season at home, whether games have been at the Costello or the Tsongas Center.

A win against the Black Bears would advance the River Hawks to the America East semifinals for just the second time (2021). It would also improve Umass Lowell’s record to 25-7, extending the program record for wins in a season at the DI level. Additionally, the River Hawks’ historic home record would improve to 16-0 this year.

The championship game will be held on Saturday, March 11 at the highest-remaining seed’s home court.