Friars edge UMass-Lowell in exhibition finale

Friars edge UMass-Lowell in exhibition finale

Teaching moments will be plentiful this season for Ed Cooley.

The PC Friar head coach had several "teaching moments" Saturday night in the Friars' exhibition finale against UMass-Lowell.  Holding double-digit leads in both halves of the game, the Friars still had to survive a last-second three point attempt from the River Hawks' Akeem Williams to win 76-75. 

Without the services of sophomore forward Kadeem Batts (suspended indefinitely) and freshman guard Kiwi Gardner (NCAA clearinghouse issues) for a second game, the Friars found themselves with only eight scholarship players available against the River Hawks, who return all five starters and 13 players overall from a team that won 20 games last season.  Yet, PC managed to work their way into a 14 point lead during the first half, thanks to smart defensively play, and strong effort on the backboards.  Sophomore guard Bryce Cotton continued his hot hand in the pre-season with 12 first half points, yet the Friars saw the lead dissipate into a 37-37 tie at halftime - thanks in part to miserable 8-17 free throw shooting.

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In the second half, the defensive effort was spotty, at best, and the poor free throw shooting continued.  UMass-Lowell twice managed to take one point leads, until a hot hand from Cotton, LaDontae Henton and Gerard Coleman put the Friars up by 11 with five minutes to play.  It was a five point lead with three minutes to go, but the River Hawks weren't done, as Williams, Dipanjot Singh and Antonio Bivins kept the Hawks within range, and following two free throw misses by Henton with :41 seconds left, they pulled themselves to within one point with :03 seconds to play.  A final attempt by Williams just to the left of the top of the key hit the front rim at the end, and PC held on for the win.

The Friars were led by Cotton's 26 points, while Vincent Council had 14 points, 8 assists and 3 steals.  Coleman chipped in 13 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, while Henton contributed 12 points and 9 rebounds.  Williams led UMass-Lowell with 18 points.  PC's dismal 14-32 free throw shooting (43.8%) was a major factor in the close call, as the Friars outrebounded the River Hawks 47-34.  The Friars also shot 49% from the floor for the game, to the River Hawks' 46%. 

The regular season tips off next Saturday at 2:00 pm in the Dunkin Donuts Center against Fairleigh Dickinson.