University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Fordham
UMass Downs Fordham
February 16, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2000
NEW YORK (AP) - Sophomore guard Shannon Crooks had a career-high 29 points Wednesday night as Massachusetts beat Fordham 81-72.
Crooks, a transfer from St. John's, has started the last 13 games and scored in double figures in 11 of the 16 games he has played in. He came into the game averaging 10.5 points and his previous career high was 17 points three times.
Kitwana Rhymer had 19 points and Chris Kirkland added 17 for the Minutemen (13-11, 7-4 Atlantic 10), who played without leading scorer Monty Mack, who missed the game with the flu. The guard is averaging 19.7 points per game.
Duke Freeman-McKamey had 19 points for the Rams (11-13, 4-8), who lost their third straight. Bevon Robin added 18 points, Alejandro Olivares had 13 and Jason Harris 11.
Fordham's last lead was at 53-51 on a 3-pointer by Robin with 9:41 to play. Crooks and Kirkland each had five points in the Minutemen's 15-7 run that gave them a 65-57 lead with 4:05 to go.
Crooks had eight points in a 10-0 run that gave Massachusetts a 47-39 lead with 13:15 left. Crooks scored the Minutemen's final 13 points of the first half as they used a 13-4 run to take a 35-32 lead.
Fordham played without sophomore forward Steve Canal, who was suspended after being ejected for fighting in Sunday's loss at St. Joseph's. He is averaging 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds.
