For the second time in three years, the UMass Lowell Men’s Basketball team came up just short in its bid for an NCAA Tournament appearance.

The River Hawks fell to to perennial conference power Vermont, 72-59, in today’s America East Championship game. UML led the game at one point late in the first half, 29-21, before the Catamounts surged to victory.

A win would have earned the Hawks the conference’s automatic bid to the “Big Dance.” UML also came up just short in the 2021 conference title game, dropping a 64-50 decision at Hartford.

The disappointing loss ends the Hawks best season since making the jump from Division 2 to Division 2in 2013. UML was undefeated at home and set a school record with 26-wins in D1.

The basketball program does have a national championship on its resume. That came in Division 2 when the then ULowell Chiefs, led by local stars Leo Parent and Bobby Licare, captured the crown in 1988.