NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (Interstat) — Massachusetts-Lowell will carry a 1-0 record into a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game against Merrimack on Thursday at Volpe Athletic Center. The River Hawks are the visiting team, and the Warriors are 0-1 at home.

Massachusetts-Lowell opened its season with a 121-57 victory over Rivier. Jasiah Cannady, a player to watch for the River Hawks, had 16 points, three rebounds and seven assists in 20 minutes in that win. Jayden Harris added 13 points and six rebounds in 15 minutes, while Jakai Newton contributed 13 points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes. The River Hawks will try to maintain that offensive pace while facing a Merrimack team seeking its first victory.

Merrimack dropped its opener, a 63-49 loss at Appalachian State. Eli Wilborn is a player to watch for the Warriors after finishing with seven points, five rebounds, three assists and one block in 21 minutes. John Skoric added four points and three rebounds in 10 minutes, and Alexander Lesburt scored 10 points to go with three rebounds in 35 minutes. The Warriors will need a stronger collective effort against Massachusetts-Lowell as they look to even their record.

The matchup features two teams in the early stages of the season and offers Massachusetts-Lowell a chance to remain unbeaten before a challenging stretch. Merrimack will be aiming to use its home floor to secure a breakthrough result. The River Hawks’ backcourt production and overall depth will be tested by a Warriors team looking to improve after a difficult opener. Massachusetts-Lowell’s quick start has been powered by efficient minutes from Cannady and a balanced supporting cast, while Merrimack will lean on Wilborn’s all-around contributions and look for additional scoring around him. Cannady, Harris and Newton give the River Hawks multiple scoring options, while Wilborn, Skoric and Lesburt are among the Warriors’ contributors to monitor.

Massachusetts-Lowell’s upcoming schedule includes a home game against Marist, a road game at Massachusetts and a home contest against Saint Peter’s. The River Hawks also have nonconference games ahead against Cincinnati, Hampton, American, Radford, Georgetown, Boston College and Sacred Heart. Merrimack is set to visit Albany, travel to Florida and host Boston University, among other nonconference matchups. The Warriors’ future slate also includes Hofstra, Colgate, Siena, Fairfield, Vermont, Michigan State and Maine. Both teams will use the meeting as an early measure of form before continuing a demanding early-season slate. The game is scheduled for Thursday at Volpe Athletic Center in North Andover, Mass.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Massachusetts-Lowell 73, Merrimack 67.