University of Massachusets Athletics
Friday, December 7
Providence, R.I.
7 PM
University of Massachusetts
6-4
79
at
78
Providence
7-3
1
2
F
Massachusetts
32
47
79
Providence
50
28
78
Huge Second Half Leads Men's Hoops Past Providence 79-78
December 07, 2018 | Men's Basketball
Minutemen overcome 20-point first half deficit with outstanding comeback effort.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A huge second half comeback effort propelled the UMass men's basketball team past Providence 79-78 on Friday night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. After trailing by as many as 20 points in the first half, the Minutemen (6-4) rallied after the intermission with Luwane Pipkins scoring the game-winning basket with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.
The win marked the second consecutive year UMass has beaten Providence (7-3) and the first in Rhode Island since 1979. It also marked the second time UMass has posted back-to-back wins in the series with the last being the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
Pipkins finished the night with a game-high 26 points to go with five rebounds and five assists. Curtis Cobb scored 16 points, while Carl Pierre had 15 points which came via five three-pointers in the second half. Samba Diallo earned his first career start turning in seven points and a season-high 10 rebounds.
The Friars were led by 21 points from Alpha Diallo and 14 points from Nate Watson. Four other players had eight points.
The Minutemen finished the game hitting 50.8 percent from the floor including 18-of-30 (60%) in the second half.
The night began with the teams trading baskets early before an 8-to-0 run for the Friars opened up a 17-11 lead. A Diallo three-pointer pulled UMass back within a point, 23-22, at the 9:16 mark, but that proved the closest the first half would be from there. The Friars closed the opening stanza with a 27-to-10 run to lead 50-32 following the intermission.
The second half opened with UMass slowly chipping away at the lead before three straight three-point shots from Pierre in a span of 65 seconds pulled UMass within six, 64-58, with 9:46 to go.
The Friars managed to keep the lead for the next six minutes before Pierre's fifth three-pointer of the night and a jumper by Cobb put UMass up 77-76. Providence regained the lead on the ensuing possession but neither team could score again until Pipkins lay-up with 10 seconds remaining.Â
Alpha Diallo had a chance at a lay-up with one second to go, but was off the mark with Rashaan Holloway clearing the rebound to preserve the win.
For complete coverage of the UMass basketball team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassBasketball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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The win marked the second consecutive year UMass has beaten Providence (7-3) and the first in Rhode Island since 1979. It also marked the second time UMass has posted back-to-back wins in the series with the last being the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
Pipkins finished the night with a game-high 26 points to go with five rebounds and five assists. Curtis Cobb scored 16 points, while Carl Pierre had 15 points which came via five three-pointers in the second half. Samba Diallo earned his first career start turning in seven points and a season-high 10 rebounds.
The Friars were led by 21 points from Alpha Diallo and 14 points from Nate Watson. Four other players had eight points.
The Minutemen finished the game hitting 50.8 percent from the floor including 18-of-30 (60%) in the second half.
The night began with the teams trading baskets early before an 8-to-0 run for the Friars opened up a 17-11 lead. A Diallo three-pointer pulled UMass back within a point, 23-22, at the 9:16 mark, but that proved the closest the first half would be from there. The Friars closed the opening stanza with a 27-to-10 run to lead 50-32 following the intermission.
The second half opened with UMass slowly chipping away at the lead before three straight three-point shots from Pierre in a span of 65 seconds pulled UMass within six, 64-58, with 9:46 to go.
The Friars managed to keep the lead for the next six minutes before Pierre's fifth three-pointer of the night and a jumper by Cobb put UMass up 77-76. Providence regained the lead on the ensuing possession but neither team could score again until Pipkins lay-up with 10 seconds remaining.Â
Alpha Diallo had a chance at a lay-up with one second to go, but was off the mark with Rashaan Holloway clearing the rebound to preserve the win.
For complete coverage of the UMass basketball team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassBasketball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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Team Stats
UMASS
PC
FG%
.508
.473
3FG%
.421
.588
FT%
.529
.640
RB
31
34
TO
10
12
STL
6
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
26
FGM
10
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
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