Once again, Vermont dashes UMass Lowell’s hopes of a spot in NCAA men’s basketball tournament

Ayinde Hikim scored 11 points in the River Hawks' loss to Vermont.

By Emma Healy, The Boston Globe

March 16, 2024

1 minute to read

For the second year in a row, UMass Lowell lost to Vermont in the America East title game, falling just one game short of a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Top-seeded Vermont began to pull away with 10 minutes to go in the game and fended off a late surge from the River Hawks to seal a 66-61 win and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. UMass Lowell missed four critical free throws down the stretch, and Vermont closed out the game to secure its third straight America East title.

UMass Lowell entered halftime with a 32-29 lead despite going 0 for 4 from 3-point range. The River Hawks have made three America East title game appearances in the last four years — including a loss to Vermont in last year’s championship game — but have never won the trophy.

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