University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass/UAB Post-Game Notes
November 25, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 25, 2005
Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery
UAB 86, UMass 77
Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off Classic
Friday, Nov. 25, 2005
• UMass is now 38-23 all-time at the MassMutual (formerly Springfield Civic) Center and are 1-1 all-time in the Basketball Hall Of Fame Tip-off Classic.
• This was just the third loss for UMass over the last 15 years when playing in Springfield (13-3).
• This was the first meeting between the two programs.
• UMass won its only other appearance in the Hall of Fame Tip-off Classic. The Minutemen defeated Arkansas, 104-80, on Nov. 25, 1994 gaining UMass its first ever No. 1 national ranking.
• Junior Brandon Thomas scored a season-high 22 points. His back-to-back three pointers in the second half pulled UMass to within two, 56-54. For the third consecutive game, Thomas scored the opening basket for UMass.
• Junior Rashuan Freeman got off to an early start scoring eight of his 21 points in the first 7:24 of action. He finished the first half with 14 points which was his best first half performance since scoring 18 points against Fordham last season in the opening frame. In the win over Hartford to open this season, Freeman posted 17 points in the second half.
• Freeman posted 20th career double-double and 48th double-figure scoring effort. He finished the day with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
• Junior Stephane Lasme blocked seven shots against the Blazers giving him 20 for the season and 143 for his career. He had three blocks in the first three minutes of the second half helping UMass rally from a 46-34 halftime deficit. He has blocked 16 shots over the last two games. • Lasme finished the game with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven points.
• UAB used a 13-to-2 run over a three minute stretch late in the first half to take a 31-22 lead - the largest of the period for either team - at the 6:17 mark. Senior Jeff Viggiano and freshman Chris Lowe each hit a pair of free throws to pull UMass back within five.
• UMass started the second half on a 14-to-4 run to trim UAB's lead to just two, 50-48.
• Junior Maurice Maxwell was called for an intentional foul on Wen Mukubu at the 15:25 mark of the second half. Mukubu converted both free throws and UAB's Demario Eddins converted two free throws on the ensuing possession to push the lead back to 54-48.
• After giving up a 18-to-6 UAB run following Thomas' consecutive trey's, the Minutemen were able to pull within six 79-76 with just under three minutes in regulation.
• UMass will next host Savannah State on Monday, Nov. 25 in the Mullins Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.