University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Connecticut
UMass Falls To No. 7 UConn, 79-65
November 22, 1999 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 22, 1999
By DONNA TOMMELLEO
Associated Press Writer
STORRS, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun remembers the old days - Massachusetts had big post players, Connecticut was trouble from the perimeter.
This year, they've swapped styles and strengths as No. 7 Connecticut used a strong inside game to hold off the uptempo Minutemen 79-65 on Monday.
Calhoun said UConn (3-1) doesn't look like teams of the past, "we have size inside and we'll play to that."
The Minutemen (1-1), led by speedy guard Monty Mack's 26 points, were able to run with the Huskies until they ran into the wall of post players anchored by 6-foot-11 centers Jake Voskuhl, Souleymane Wane and 6-10 forward Ajou Deng.
The three accounted for 20 points, 17 rebounds and all seven of UConn's blocks. UConn (3-1) outrebounded UMass 48-39, led by Edmund Saunders' 10 rebounds.
"We gave away too many second shots," UMass coach Bruiser Flint said, "and in the end they wore us down."
UMass got within 54-51 with 8:46 remaining in the game on consecutive 3-pointers from Mack, Jonathan DePina and Ronell Blizzard.
A 3-pointer from Albert Mouring and two free throws from Wane helped the Huskies build a 59-51 lead with 8:23 left. UMass had to resort to fouling at that point and the Huskies made 11-of-19 free throws down the stretch to ice the game.
Khalid El-Amin led UConn with 18 points. Saunders and Wane finished with 16 and 14, respectively.
The Huskies broke a 5-all tie with a 13-4 run early in the first half. El-Amin fueled the spurt with five points and reserves Wane and Ajou Deng each added four. The Huskies led 37-31 at the half.
Kitwana Rhymer had 17 rebounds for UMass.
Monday's game was the 102nd meeting between the schools. UConn has an eight-game winning streak against the Minutemen, winning 17 of the last 18 meetings and leads the series 64-38.
