UMass-Lowell edges past Maine 62-59 in America East play

BANGOR, Maine (AP) Jahad Thomas made a pair of free throws with nine seconds left to preserve a narrow come-from-behind victory as UMass-Lowell edged Maine 62-59 Tuesday night.

Thomas scored 15 points with eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals in the victory - UMass-Lowell's seventh decided by 10 points or fewer and its sixth second-half comeback. Chad Holley scored 14 and Tyler Livingston 13 for the River Hawks (9-8, 3-1 America East).

Thomas and Lance Crawford wrapped back-to-back baskets around a Maine miss to give UMass-Lowell a 52-51 lead with just under eight minutes to play. Maine threatened several times but did not regain the lead.

Zarko Valjarevic led the Black Bears (1-15, 0-4) with a season-high 23 points including seven 3-pointers, also a season best. Till Gloger added 14 points and Garet Beal 10.

Beal missed both ends of a two-shot foul with Maine trailing 60-59 with 12 seconds to play.