EASTON, MA (Feb. 5, 2008) – Junior G Matt Hall scored 17 points and led four players in double digits as Stonehill College defeated UMass Lowell, 74-65, Tuesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball tilt at the Merkert Gymnasium.

With the loss, UML slipped to 8-12 overall and 5-10 in the Conference entering Saturday’s home game against Le Moyne (2:00). Stonehill improved to 14-9 overall and 10-6 in the NE-10.

Sophomore G Kevin Carr (Lancaster, OH) led the River Hawks with 26 points as he converted 10 of 16 field goals, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range. Sophomore G Craig Heatherly (Mishawaka, IN) added a season-high 12 points and three assists, shooting 5 for 8 from the floor.

Senior F Mike Gore (Wilmington, MA) and freshman G Max Kerman (Watertown, MA) each chipped in 10 points and dished three assists. Kerman converted 4 of 6 field goals (2 for 2 from long range) and grabbed five rebounds while Gore also shot 4 for 6 from the field and 2 for 3 from 3-point territory.

Hall shot 8 for 15 from the field and blocked three shots while sophomore forward A.J. Rudowitz added 16 points and five rebounds, hitting 3 of 6 field goal attempts and 10 of 11 free throws.

Junior F Nick Smith chipped in 15 points while sophomore G Randall Stallworth had 10 points (4-6 field goal shooting) and three assists.

The Skyhawks outscored UML 22-6 off turnovers, forcing 17 from UML while committing only seven. The margin neutralized UML’s torrid shooting: .532 for the game (25-47), including .630 in the second half (17-27). Stonehill shot .463 for the game (25-54).

Stonehill also enjoyed a 16-3 scoring edge at the free throw line and outscored UML 14-6 off the bench.

The Skyhawks led at the break 29-22 and carried a seven point lead (47-40) with 11:36 left to play before going on a 10-2 spurt to post a 57-42 cushion with 6:33 left. Hall and freshman G Vince Rosario each meshed 3-point shots in the run.

UML cut the lead to seven (70-63) on a 3-pointer by Carr with 53 seconds left, but was forced to foul the rest of the way. Stonehill converted all six of its free throw attempts – including four by Rudowitz – in the final 38 seconds to seal the win.