PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 12, 2007) – Senior G Dashon Harper (Columbus, OH) scored 22 points to lead UMass Lowell over Philadelphia University, 77-76, in overtime Wednesday night in a non-conference men’s basketball clash at the Gallagher Center.

The victory was the third straight for the River Hawks, who improved to 4-4 entering the semester break. UML returns to action Friday, Dec. 28 at Northern Kentucky University (7:00) and Sunday, Dec. 30 at the University of Indianapolis (5:00).

The Rams slipped to 4-7.

Harper converted 8 of 14 field goal attempts, including 4 of 10 treys, and dished out three assists. Senior G Jamael Lynch (Brooklyn, NY) added 12 points, hitting 4 of 5 field goals, including a pair of treys in overtime.

Sophomore F Victor Colon (Chicago, IL) chipped in 11 points (4-7 field goal shooting) and sophomore G Kevin Carr (Lancaster, OH) 10 points.

The River Hawks shot .543 for the game (25-46), including 10-17 in the second half and 4-5 in the extra session. Philadelphia also shot well: .528 for the game (28-53), .522 in the second half (12-23) and 4-5 in overtime.

UML, however, outscored the Rams 14-8 at the free throw line, which offset Philadelphia’s 26-12 advantage in the paint. Off the bench, however, UML outscored the Philadelphia, 21-10, thanks to Carr’s 10 points and four apiece by senior F Mike Gore (Wilmington, MA) and freshman F Connor Wetzel (Cincinnati, OH).

Sophomore F Malcolm Ingram led the Rams with 23 points, hitting 10 of 17 field goal attempts, while junior G Mike Dunn added 19 points on 6-10 FG shooting (5-9 from 3-point range). Senior F Jason Hickenbottom chipped in 15 points and six assists.

UML nursed a six-point lead, 64-58, with 1:15 left in regulation, but the Rams ended the half with a 6-1 spurt to force overtime. Hickenbottom started the run with a trey and sophomore G Russell Frederick added pair of free throws to bring Philadelphia within one, 64-63.

After Harper hit the first of two free throws, Ingram converted a layup with five seconds left to knot the score, 65-65. A 3-point attempt by sophomore G Craig Heatherly (Mishawaka, IN) at the horn was off the mark.

Philadelphia jumped out to a 73-70 lead in overtime, but UML countered with seven straight points: a jumper by Harper, a 3-pointer by Lynch and two free throws by Carr for a 77-73 lead.

Ingram meshed a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 77-76 with two seconds left, but UML inbounded safely to run out the clock.