Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)

LOWELL, Mass. - Visiting Binghamton (4-15, 1-5 America East) opened the second half with a decisive 19-4 run and then made seven free throws in the game's final minute to hold off UMass Lowell (7-13, 3-4 AE) 64-57 Sunday afternoon at the Tsongas Center.

The teams were deadlocked at 24 all at half but BU stepped on the gas to start the second. Sophomore forward Willie Rodriguez tallied 14 of his game-high 17 points in the second and the Bearcats' pressure defense ran their turnover count up to 23 with nine steals in the period. Junior guard Marlon Beck netted 12 of his 17 points after intermission.  

"We used our calling card ... pressure defense ... we had it going today," head coach Tommy Dempsey said. "We played with a lot of energy and made them very uncomfortable. That's a good offensive team (Lowell) and we were able to disrupt them. Sixteen steals is a big number. The defense was good all day long and in the second half, we took care of the ball much better. It was a good first step (first conference win) and now we have to keep it going."

Rodriguez netted seven of BU's first 12 points of the second half and then after the River Hawks scored three straight to cut their deficit to eight, freshman guard Timmy Rose took over. In a 31-second span, Rose delivered two steals and an assist on an inbounds alley-oop to classmate Thomas Bruce. Rose's second steal led to a Beck three-pointer that gave BU a 43-28 lead with 12:46 left.  

Rodriguez converted a layup after a steal from sophomore forward Justin McFadden (5 steals, 5 rebs.) to boost BU's lead to 16 with 8:16 left. Lowell cut the margin to seven before Beck (4 FT) and Rodriguez (3 FT) sealed it at the line. 

Bruce just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Binghamton scored 24 points off Lowell's 23 turnovers.

The Bearcats return home to host UMBC on Wednesday.