LOWELL, MA (Feb. 16, 2008) – Senior F Mike Gore (Wilmington, MA) and senior G Dashon Harper (Columbus, OH) each scored 16 points as UMass Lowell defeated American International College, 72-62, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball tilt at the Costello Athletic Center.

With the victory, the River Hawks (11-15, 8-13 NE-10) clinched the No. 11 seed in the NE-10 Tournament despite the outcome of Tuesday’s regular season finale at home against Saint Rose (7:00).

Despite the loss, AIC solidified the 12th and final spot in the NE-10 Tournament by virtue of losses to Saint Michael’s (85-65 to Bentley) and Franklin Pierce (76-72 to Saint Anselm) Saturday. The Yellow Jackets slipped to 10-16 overall and 7-14 in the Conference.

Gore converted 7 of 9 field goals and grabbed eight rebounds while Harper shot 4 for 8 from the field and 6 for 6 from the free throw line. Sophomore G Kevin Carr (Lancaster, OH) chipped in 11 points and three assists while shooting 4 for 7 from the floor.

Sophomore F Aikeem Vanderhorst (Bay Shore, NY) led all scorers with 22 points and six rebounds. Junior F Colson Senat (Montreal, QUE) added 14 points, converting 5 of 9 field goals, and junior G Vernon Dupree (Wilmington, DE) chipped in 10 points.

UML committed 20 turnovers to AIC’s 16, but it was the River Hawks who benefited, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 26-15 off turnovers. Additionally, UML outscored AIC on second chances 15-5, the result of a 12-5 advantage on offensive rebounds (37-22 overall).

The River Hawks shot .490 for the game, including .520 in the second half (13-25) while AIC shot .440 overall and .444 in the second half (12-27).

UML led 35-28 at the break, but the Yellow Jackets cut the lead to 36-33 on a layup by Vanderhorst with 16:40 left to play. However, UML responded with an 8-2 spurt to post a 44-35 cushion with 13:32 left. Freshman G Max Kerman (Watertown, MA) meshed a trey and a layup while Harper capped the run with a 3-pointer.

UML never let AIC within seven points the rest of the game.