BALTIMORE (AP) — Obadiah Noel scored a career-high 27 points, Christian Lutete added 20 and UMass Lowell blitzed UMBC in overtime for an 86-73 victory in the America East Conference opener on Saturday.
K.J. Jackson hit a miraculous shot at the buzzer off an in-bounds play that started from the right wing with 0.6 seconds left in regulation to force the overtime, but the River Hawks kept their composure and had a 20-7 advantage in the extra five minutes.
Ron Mitchell, who finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for UMass Lowell, opened overtime with a layup. The Retrievers answered with a free throw, but Lutete hit a 3-pointer. Following another free throw, Noel nailed a 3.
UMass Lowell (7-9), which had lost three straight, was 6 of 7 from the field with two 3s, and 6 of 8 from the line in OT. UMBC (7-9) was just 2 of 10, missing five 3s, and 3 of 6 from the line.
Josh Gantz added 10 points for the River Hawks, who shot 28% in the first half and trailed 29-23. They finished 25 of 32 at the foul line.
Brandon Horvath had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Retrievers, who were just 9 of 14 from the free-throw line.
UMBC coach Ryan Odom said a day before the game that senior Max Curran was no longer with the team due to personal matters. He played in nine games with three starts this season and had 25 starts over his career.
