Basketball Preview: Battle of the Valley continues when Merrimack visits UMass Lowell

Merrimack Valley rivals Merrimack College and UMass Lowell will meet at the Costello Athletic Center on Monday night.

The Warriors are coming off Friday’s loss at Butler. The River Hawks are 2-2 against D-I opponents with wins over Saint Peter’s and Quinnipiac. The River Hawks also beat D-III Rivier and Fisher. Lowell lost at Gonzaga and Washington.

Merrimack vs. UMass Lowell

When: Monday
Tip-off: 6:00 p.m. ET
Watch U.S.: ESPN+
Venue: Costello Center (2,000)
Location: Lowell, Mass.
Purchase Tickets: Click here

History: The Warriors hold a slight edge in the all-time series, 22-21. Most of the historical meetings between these two programs were back in their D-II days when both were members of the Northeast 10.

UMass Lowell moved to Division I (America East) in 2013. Since Merrimack moved to Division I in 2019, the series is tied 2-2. The Warriors won the latest meeting last season, 74-68, behind 33 points from Jordan Derkack. The Warriors are 1-1 in games at UMass Lowell since going D-I.

Inside the Matchup

— UMass Lowell is ranked No. 321 in offensive steal percentage. Teams have been able to generate steals against the River Hawks, and Merrimack enters this game ranked No. 89 in defensive steal percentage. That’s a matchup in Merrimack’s favor.

Moreover, Lowell is ranked No. 333 in offensive turnover percentage, and Merrimack is ranked No. 64 in defensive turnover percentage.