VESTAL, N.Y.  Visiting UMass Lowell (7-9, 2-0 America East) shot 55 percent in the second half and scored 52 points in the paint to hold off Binghamton men's basketball (9-8, 0-2 AE) 79-75 Sunday afternoon at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center.

The Bearcats trimmed a 15-point second-half deficit to two, 77-75, with 21 seconds left after junior forward Willie Rodriguez drilled a three-pointer. But Lowell made a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left to complete the scoring. Binghamton missed its final two shots in the closing 10 seconds.

Rodriguez netted a team-high and season-high 23 points with nine rebounds to lead four players in double figures. Senior guard Marlon Beck scored a season-high 14 points and set the career three-pointers record midway through the first half with his 183rd long-distance shot. Beck took a pass from sophomore guard Timmy Rose and swished in a 3 from the left foul-line extended with 12:28 remaining to break the record he shared with Troy Hailey (182 made, 2003-07).

But the Bearcats hit just 8-of-30 in the first half (27%) and despite jumping out to a 17-9 start, trailed by two at the break, 34-32.

In the second half, the River Hawks used a 17-3 run in 6:06 to grab control. Jahad Thomas (28 pts., 15 rebs.) scored six points during the run. Thomas led four Lowell players in double figures.

Binghamton limited the visitors to 1-for-15 shooting from beyond the arc, but was minus 12 on the glass. Lowell held a big 52-24 advantage in the paint.

"Give credit to UMass Lowell," head coach Tommy Dempsey said. "They played very well ... they are a good basketball team and they are in a good rhythm right now. We weren't able to keep up with them. Defensively they exposed us on the interior."

Rose hit 10-of-13 free throws to bump his season-high points mark to 14. He added six assists and three steals. Freshman guard Fard Muhammad also reached double figures with 10 points.

Binghamton remains at home to welcome preseason conference favorite Vermont on Wednesday night.