University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Connecticut
Men's Basketball Downed By UConn, 69-59
December 11, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Dec 11, 2001
AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - Tony Robertson led Connecticut with 15 points, and hit a key 3-pointer to fend off a Massachusetts comeback, as the Huskies defeated Massachusetts 69-59 on Tuesday.
It was the 11th straight victory for UConn (5-1) in the 105-game series.
UMass, which has lost its last three games, fell to 4-3.
UConn led 36-23 at halftime, but UMass scored the first eight points of the second half. After a pair of three throws by Eric Williams, the Minutemen closed to within four points, 41-37, but could never get any closer.
A rebound hoop by Micah Brand put UMass within five, 56-51. But Robertson's 3-point shot with 2:51 to play put UConn ahead 59-51.
Caron Butler, Emeka Okafor and Taliek Brown all had 13 for Connecticut.
Shannon Crooks scored 14 points for the Minutemen, followed by Kitwana Rhymer with 12 and Anthony Anderson with 10. UMass outrebounded the Huskies 46-28, with Rhymer collecting 12 boards.
UConn took the early lead with an early 8-0 run, maintaining control for the rest of the half. Two Robertson scores, including a 3-pointer, gave the Huskies their biggest lead of the half at 27-14.
UMass was 1-for-18 from 3-point range.
