University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
American
Men's Hoops Cruises Past American University Of Puerto Rico
December 22, 1999 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 22, 1999
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico (AP) - Monty Mack was 5-of-6 from 3-point range and had 17 points, leading Massachusetts to a 102-65 victory over American University of Puerto Rico on Wednesday in the consolation round of the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic.
The Minutemen (6-4) will play Boston College, which beat Illinois-Chicago 67-62, for fifth place on Thursday. It will be the second meeting this season between the schools from the same state. UMass beat the Eagles 74-67 on Dec. 4.
Massachusetts took control early against the Pirates (0-7), the Division II host school for the eight-team tournament, and used its height and speed advantage to take a 49-29 halftime lead. The lead was 76-36 on a 3-pointer by Shannon Crooks with 13:07 to play and the biggest it got was 92-47 on a 3-pointer by Darryl Denson with 5:22 left.
Crooks finished with 17 points and Chris Kirkland added 14 for the Minutemen, who had lost two of their last three games, including a 65-63 decision to Southern Illinois in the opening round of the tournament.
Juan Hernandez had 21 points for the Pirates who lost to No. 11 Tennessee 102-58 in the opening round.
