LOWELL, MA (Jan. 12, 2008) – Senior G Ryan Williams (Centreville, PA) scored 25 points, including 18 in the second half, as Pace University defeated UMass Lowell, 62-59, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball tilt at the Costello Athletic Center.

The loss was the fifth straight for UML, which slipped to 4-9 overall and 2-7 in the Conference entering Wednesday’s home clash against Assumption (7:30). The Setters improved to 8-7 overall and 7-3 in the NE-10 and visit Saint Rose Wednesday at 7:30.

Despite the loss, three players recorded career-highs for UML as senior Mike Gore (Wilmington, MA) led the River Hawks with 14 points, hitting 7 of 10 field goal attempts. Sophomore G Kevin Carr (Lancaster, OH) dished out a career-high eight assists in addition to 12 points, converting 4 of 8 attempts from long range.

Senior G Dashon Harper (Columbus, OH) also scored 12 points and dealt four assists while freshman G Max Kerman (Watertown, MA) chipped in a season-high 12 points.

Williams converted 8 of 16 field goal attempts and shot 5 for 6 from the free throw line. Senior F Desmond Quincy-Jones (Rye, NY) added 16 points and 10 rebounds (6-6 free throw shooting) for Pace.

The Setters outrebounded UML 41-26 overall and 10-3 on the offensive end, enabling for a 9-0 advantage on second chance points. Pace also outscored UML from the free throw line, 16-2.

UML outscored the Setters 27-12 from 3-point range and 24-14 in the paint.

A 3-point shot by Carr gave UML a 51-46 lead with 10:06 left to play, but the Setters answered with nine straight points to post a 55-51 lead with 7:29 remaining. Williams led the run with a trey and a jumper.

Pace led 59-54 with 4:45 left, but a 3-point shot by sophomore F Victor Colon (Chicago, IL) trimmed to lead to two (59-57), but Quincy-Jones converted a pair of free throws to boost the Setter lead to four.

A layup by Harper again cut the lead to two (61-59), and following a Pace miss, UML committed a turnover and was forced to foul with 14 seconds left. Williams converted the first of two free throws for a 62-59 lead with :07 left, but a desperation trey by freshman F Connor Wetzel (Cincinnati, OH) was off the mark.