LOWELL, MA (Jan. 16, 2008) – Senior G Dashon Harper (Columbus, OH) scored 23 points to lead UMass Lowell over Assumption College, 86-74, Wednesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball clash at the Costello Athletic Center.

The victory halted a five-game losing skein for the River Hawks, who improved to 5-9 overall and 3-7 in the NE-10 entering Saturday’s tilt at Saint Michael’s. Assumption slipped to 13-5 overall and 7-4 in the Conference.

Harper converted 6 of 8 field goal attempts, including 2 of 3 from long range, and all nine of his free throw attempts. Sophomore G Kevin Carr (Lancaster, OH) added 11 points, including nine in the first half, while sophomore F Victor Colon (Chicago, IL) chipped in 10 points (4-8 field goal shooting).

The loss spoiled a stellar effort by senior F Mike Foti (Franklin, MA), who led the Greyhounds with 26 points, highlighted by 6 of 11 shooting from 3-point range. Junior F Patrick Shea (Salem, MA) added 13 points and nine rebounds while senior G Greg Twomey (Groton, MA) had 10 points.

UML shot .518 for the game (29-56), including .517 in the first half (15-29) and .519 in the second (14-27). Assumption was on the mark in the first stanza, shooting .538 (14-26), but misfired in the second half (.324, 11-34).

Turnovers were even at 15 apiece, but it was UML which capitalized, outscoring the Greyhounds 18-10 off mistakes.

The River Hawks led 40-39 at the break and opened the second half with an 11-3 spurt to post a 51-42 lead nearly four minutes in. Colon led the surge with a pair of treys while Carr added a layup and senior F Mike Gore (Wilmington, MA) a trey of his own.

Assumption cut the lead to four (55-51) with 13:03 left to play, but UML responded with nine straight points to establish a 64-51 cushion with 10:25 left to play. Senior F Jerreh Saidybah (Montreal, QUE) came off the bench to convert a layup and two free throws to lead the run.

The River Hawks never let Assumption within nine points afterward as Harper scored 11 of his points in the final 5:45.