University of Massachusets Athletics
Postgame Notes
February 22, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 22, 2006
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery
Charlotte 72, UMass 71 Feb. 22, 2006 Amherst, Mass. - Mullins Center Attendance: 4,121
* After UMass took a three-point lead on a Rashaun Freeman free throw, Charlotte's Leemire Goldwire hit a fade-away three-pointer from the left arc to tie the game at 71 each with 60 seconds remaining in regulation ... Goldwire then forced a turnover on the ensuing UMass possession and Curtis Withers was fouled with three seconds in regulation ... Withers hit the first of two free throws as Jeff Viggiano collected the rebound off the missed second shot ... Viggiano got off a desperation three-point attempt that went high and wide right as time expired from just over the UMass side of the halfcourt line.
* Despite a lengthy field goal drought in the first half, UMass shot 57.4 percent from the floor for the game ... the best shooting for a game for the season.
* Turnovers hurt UMass as the Minutemen gave the ball away 20 times which the 49ers converted into 31 points.
* Stephane Lasme was a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor and hit 4-of-6 free throws to reach double-figures for the third consecutive game and 12th of the season ... he also blocked three shots giving him 220 for his career and moving him three out of second-place all-time in UMass history.
* Lasme's point total was his most since scoring 21 points versus St. Peters in the Panasonic Holiday Classic on Dec. 27.
* Lawrence Carrier scored 13 points marking the first time since the home win over Temple on Jan. 21 that he reached double-figure scoring ... in all this season, he has reached double-figures three times (8 for his career).
* De'Angelo Alexander, Leemire Goldwire, and Curtis Withers scored 22, 24 and 20 points, respectively, marking the first time this season UMass has allowed three 20-point scorers in one game ... the last time three players on an opposing team scored over 20 each was Jan. 18, 2003 when Xavier's Romain Sato (24), Dedrick Finn (21) and David West (21) also combined for 66 points.
* Brandon Thomas hit a three-pointer on UMass' opening possession to start the second half pulling the Minutemen back within four, 38-34 ... a jumper by Stephane Lasme from the left free throw line tied the game at 39 each at the 18:18 mark as UMass started the half on a 10-1 run.
* Three point shooting was the story of the first half as Charlotte hit 7-for-13 from deep, while UMass was able to connect on just 3-of-10 from behind the arc ... De'Angelo Alexander led all players at halftime with 16 points, while Curtis Withers added 10 points.
* UMass jumped out to a 13-2 opening lead forcing a Charlotte timeout with 14:42 to go in the first half ... Jeff Viggiano had seven points in the run and Rashaun Freeman pulled down four rebounds.
* Charlotte responded with a 25-1 run following the time out at 14:42 to pull within two, 13-11, on a lay-up by Marcus Bennett ... a three-pointer by De'Angelo Alexander at the 11:54 mark of the first half gave Charlotte its first lead of the game 14-13 ... all told, Charlotte hit five three pointers in the stretch keyed by 11 points for Alexander and held UMass without a field goal for 7-minutes, 40 seconds - Chris Lowe hit a three-pointer at the 7:06 mark to pull UMass with 10 points, 27-17.
* The Minutemen pulled within four in the first half, 35-31, on a lay-up and free throw from Brandon Thomas, but Leemire Goldwire buried a three-pointer just as time expired in the first half to push the 49er lead to 38-31 at the intermission.
* Happy Birthday Dr. J: On this date in 1971, Julius Erving scored 36 points and hauled in a school record 32 rebounds to lead UMass past Syracuse 86-71 in the Curry Hicks Cage ... that game marked his last game in the Cage.
* UMass won the opening tip ... Wednesday's game was the first time the new Mullins Center Video Boards were used for a men's basketball game ... Stephane Lasme scored the first field goal of the game at the 18:45 mark.