University of Massachusets Athletics
Wednesday, November 20
Amherst, Mass.
7:00 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
5-0
82
vs
72
Rider
2-2
1
2
F
Rider
34
38
72
Massachusetts
45
37
82
Hot shooting from Pierre and Weeks leads UMass to 5-0 start, top Rider 82-72
November 20, 2019 | Men's Basketball
AMHERST, Mass. – For the first time since 2013, the UMass men's basketball is 5-0 to start the season thanks to a combined 44 points from Carl Pierre (23 points) and T.J. Weeks (21 points) as the Minutemen topped Rider, 82-72, on Wednesday night at the Mullins Center as part of the Air Force Reserve Tip Top Tournament.
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It's just the 15th time in the 111-year history of the program that Massachusetts begins the season 5-0, and just the fourth time since the 1996-97 campaign.
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From now until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, fans can purchase tickets in the value section to all remaining home games at the Mullins Center for just $10. Visit UMassAthletics.com/tickets, call 866-UMASS-TIX or visit the Mullins Center Box Office to purchase yours now.
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Weeks was red hot from three, finishing a perfect 6-of-6 on the night from beyond the arc (5-of-5 in the first half), while Pierre was 9-of-17 from the floor (4-of-9 from three) to finish three points shy of his career high to lead five Minutemen in double figures. Samba Diallo, Tre Mitchell and Sean East II all finished with 10 points apiece, while East II added a team-high eight assists.
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Tyere Marshall was the story for Rider, who kept the Broncs in the game with a game-high 28 points and 20 rebounds (eight offensive), on 11-of-17 shooting, while Stevie Jordan added 10 and nine assists. As a team Rider was 25-of-64 (39.1%), while the Minutemen were 29-of-54 (53.7%).
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With UMass leading by 11 at the break, the Minutemen found themselves in foul trouble when Mitchell and Weeks each picked up their fourth of the night, sending them to the bench. The Broncs took advantage, trimming the lead down to six with less than 12 minutes to play.
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Out of the media timeout, though, the Minutemen came alive with a quick 11-2 run over a three-minute span to build the lead back up to 17 at 69-52 with 8:25 to go, with eight of those points coming from Pierre, and stayed in control the rest of the way going 6-of-7 from the line in the final five minutes.
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The Minutemen used electric shooting from beyond the arc (9-of-16) a 14-2 run over a four-minute span midway through the first half to lead by as many as 17 before going into the locker room with a 45-34 edge. Weeks had nine of his 17 first half points during the run, leading the way for a Minuteman squad that shot 60.7% from the floor (17-of-28) in the opening 20 minutes.
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Pierre, meanwhile, kept pace with Weeks throughout the half, dropping 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting (3-of-5 from three), while East II added six dimes. Rider, meanwhile, shot less than 37% (14-of-38), but stayed in it thanks to 12 offensive boards.
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UMass returns to action on Saturday afternoon when the Minutemen take on the defending national champion No. 7/6 Virginia at 12 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena. The game will be televised live on ESPNews. Â
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It's just the 15th time in the 111-year history of the program that Massachusetts begins the season 5-0, and just the fourth time since the 1996-97 campaign.
Â
From now until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, fans can purchase tickets in the value section to all remaining home games at the Mullins Center for just $10. Visit UMassAthletics.com/tickets, call 866-UMASS-TIX or visit the Mullins Center Box Office to purchase yours now.
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Weeks was red hot from three, finishing a perfect 6-of-6 on the night from beyond the arc (5-of-5 in the first half), while Pierre was 9-of-17 from the floor (4-of-9 from three) to finish three points shy of his career high to lead five Minutemen in double figures. Samba Diallo, Tre Mitchell and Sean East II all finished with 10 points apiece, while East II added a team-high eight assists.
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Tyere Marshall was the story for Rider, who kept the Broncs in the game with a game-high 28 points and 20 rebounds (eight offensive), on 11-of-17 shooting, while Stevie Jordan added 10 and nine assists. As a team Rider was 25-of-64 (39.1%), while the Minutemen were 29-of-54 (53.7%).
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With UMass leading by 11 at the break, the Minutemen found themselves in foul trouble when Mitchell and Weeks each picked up their fourth of the night, sending them to the bench. The Broncs took advantage, trimming the lead down to six with less than 12 minutes to play.
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Out of the media timeout, though, the Minutemen came alive with a quick 11-2 run over a three-minute span to build the lead back up to 17 at 69-52 with 8:25 to go, with eight of those points coming from Pierre, and stayed in control the rest of the way going 6-of-7 from the line in the final five minutes.
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The Minutemen used electric shooting from beyond the arc (9-of-16) a 14-2 run over a four-minute span midway through the first half to lead by as many as 17 before going into the locker room with a 45-34 edge. Weeks had nine of his 17 first half points during the run, leading the way for a Minuteman squad that shot 60.7% from the floor (17-of-28) in the opening 20 minutes.
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Pierre, meanwhile, kept pace with Weeks throughout the half, dropping 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting (3-of-5 from three), while East II added six dimes. Rider, meanwhile, shot less than 37% (14-of-38), but stayed in it thanks to 12 offensive boards.
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UMass returns to action on Saturday afternoon when the Minutemen take on the defending national champion No. 7/6 Virginia at 12 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena. The game will be televised live on ESPNews. Â
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Team Stats
RID
UMASS
FG%
.391
.537
3FG%
.235
.500
FT%
.600
.542
RB
42
30
TO
12
11
STL
1
4
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
9
3FGM
4
FTM
1
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
6
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
C
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