Preview: River Hawks Face Retrievers in America East Clash

CATONSVILLE, Md. (Interstat) — The UMBC Retrievers look to solidify their position in the America East Conference standings when they host the UMass Lowell River Hawks on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Retriever Activities Center.

UMBC (10-7 overall) enters the matchup with momentum, having won four of its last five games, including a convincing 78-60 road victory at Binghamton on Monday. The Retrievers are led by versatile guard Ace Valentine, who is averaging 13.0 points, 5.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds over his last five contests. In the win over Binghamton, Valentine filled the stat sheet with 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

UMass Lowell (8-11) seeks to rebound from a 73-64 home loss to NJIT on Jan. 15. The River Hawks had won three straight conference games prior to that defeat. Their offense runs through dynamic guard Angel Montas, who has been on a scoring tear. Montas is averaging 21.4 points per game over his last five outings, including a 27-point performance in a win at Bryant and a 22-point effort in the loss to NJIT.

The Retrievers boast a more balanced recent attack, with Jah’Likai King pouring in 21 points against Binghamton. UMBC’s defense will be tasked with slowing Montas, who has shown the ability to score from all levels.

This contest marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 28 in Lowell, Massachusetts. UMBC holds the better overall record, but UMass Lowell has shown it can win on the road in conference play, with victories at Binghamton and Bryant earlier this month.

Saturday’s game will be a test of UMBC’s consistency against a UMass Lowell team reliant on its star’s high-level production. The Retrievers’ depth and recent form make them the favorite, but Montas gives the River Hawks a chance in any America East matchup.

Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon in Catonsville.