Hopkins, Martinez Propel 'Cats Past UMass Lowell, 68-64

Wednesday, January 9

Durham, N.H.

7 PM

University of New Hampshire

3-12, 1-1AE

UMass Lowell

8-9, 0-2AE

UMass Lowell

New Hampshire

Photo by: Audrey Powell

1/9/2019 11:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Video Highlights

DURHAM, N.H. – Josh Hopkins (Greensboro, N.C.) and Jayden Martinez (Cibolo, Texas) both made a 3-pointer in the last 90 seconds to lift the University of New Hampshire to Wednesday night's 68-64 come-from-behind victory against UMass Lowell at Lundholm Gym.

Hopkins finished the game with 19 points, including three 3-pointers, and Martinez tallied a double-double with 12 points (two 3-pointers) and 10 rebounds. David Watkins (Dorchester, Mass.) nearly had a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.

UMass Lowell was led by Obadiah Noel (20 points; 10-11 free throws), Christian Lutete (13 points), Alex Rivera (11) and Josh Gantz (10).

UNH is now 3-12 overall and 1-1 in America East while UML is 8-9, 0-2.

LOOKING AHEAD

New Hampshire returns to action Jan. 12 (7 p.m.) at Stony Brook University.
The Wildcats' next home game is Jan. 16 (7 p.m.) against the University of Vermont.
Tickets for all home games are available online at www.unhwildcats.com or by calling (603) 862-4000.

SHOP UNH

Check out UNHShop.com for the latest in official UNH Wildcats' merchandise.

FIRST HALF

UMass Lowell led 10-7 at the first media timeout (at 15:36), with three Wildcats scoring the seven points.
UNH outscored the River Hawks 10-3 to take a 17-13 lead at the second media timeout (at 12:00). Hopkins and Watkins each hit a 3-ball during the run.
UML regained a one-point lead at 7:25, but Martinez's jumper put the Wildcats back in front, 23-22, going into the third media timeout (at 6:13).
The River Hawks scored five straight points coming out of the media timeout to take a four-point lead, but then layups by Nick Guadarrama (Newington, Conn.) and Elijah Jordan (Orlando. Fla.) tied the score at 27-27 (at 3:44).
After four straight free throws for the River Hawks, a 3-pointer by Mark Carbone (Wethersfield, Conn.) sent the Wildcats into the half trailing 31-30.

SECOND HALF

New Hampshire opened the second half on a 7-1 run – fueled by three Watkins field goals – to take a 37-32 lead at 16:51.
UML tied the score, then UNH reestablished a five-point lead, 42-37, at 13:32. The visitors leveled the score at 42 and UNH led 45-42 at the next media timeout (11:22).
After going into the third media timeout (at 7:53) trailing the River Hawks 50-49, UNH outscored UMass Lowell 9-2 to take its biggest lead of the game, 58-52, with 5:47 remaining in the half. Martinez netted the final five points of the spurt with a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer.
The Wildcats went into the final media timeout (at 3:42) leading 58-57 after five straight points from the River Hawks.
UMass Lowell went on a 7-2 run out of the media timeout to take a 64-60 lead at 1:35.
Martinez hit a 3-pointer out of the media timeout to trim the deficit to one point.
Following a few empty possessions by both teams, Hopkins hit a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a 66-64 lead with 13 seconds remaining in the game.
UNH's defensive pressure forced a turnover, and Hopkins made two foul shots with 5.7 seconds on the clock to seal the victory.

SERIES NOTEBOOK

UNH has a 9-2 lifetime record, including 4-2 at home, against UMass Lowell.

UNH NOTEBOOK

Martinez recorded his second double-double of the season; the 'Cats have a total of five. He shot an efficient 50 percent (4-8) from the floor.
Guadarrama finished the game with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in 28 minutes off the bench.
Marque Maultsby (Raleigh, N.C.) recorded a game-high five assists and did not commit a turnover. He also had five points, two rebounds and a steal in 27 minutes.
UNH used its 10^th different starting lineup of the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

There were 10 ties and 11 lead changes in the game; there were six tie scores and five lead changes in the second half. Neither team led by more than six points the entire 40 minutes.
UNH shot 41.7% from the field (25-60) which included 25% on 3-pointers (7-28).
UMass Lowell made 36% of its field goals (18-50); the River Hawks were 7-23 (30.4%) on 3-pointers. UML entered the game averaging 82.8 points per game with a .484 field goal percentage.
After not attempting a free throw in the first half, the Wildcats went 11-for-14 from the foul line in the second half. The visitors made 21 of 26 free throws.
New Hampshire outscored UML 32-18 in the paint.
The 'Cats committed nine turnovers in comparison to the visitor's 16.
The River Hawks had a 39-31 rebounding advantage that included 9-6 on the offensive glass; second-chance points were even at six.