University of Massachusets Athletics
Saturday, February 22
Bronx, N.Y.
4:00 PM
University of Massachusetts
12-15,6-8Atlant
57
at
49
Fordham
7-19,1-13Atlant
1
2
F
Massachusetts
24
33
57
Fordham
21
28
49
Mitchell’s Double-Double Sends UMass Past Fordham On The Road, 57-49
February 22, 2020 | Men's Basketball
The victory brings the conference win total to six, the most since the 2015-16 season.
BRONX, N.Y. – Tre Mitchell had a second half double-double, and the UMass men's basketball team (12-15, 6-8) overcame a 32% shooting performance against the Atlantic 10's top defensive squad to hold off Fordham (7-19, 1-13) on Saturday afternoon at Rose Hill Gym, 57-49.
The victory gives Massachusetts its first win at Fordham since Feb. 4, 2015 and brings the conference win total to six, the most since the 2015-16 season.
Mitchell, who was held scoreless in the first half going up against Fordham's Joel Soriano (14 points, 16 rebounds), went to work in the second half to finish with 15 points and 19 rebounds on the night, one board shy of becoming the first Minuteman with 20 rebounds in a game since Jim Town on Dec. 12, 1976.
Samba Diallo was solid all game for Massachusetts, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals, highlighted by a steal and dunk with five minutes to play that put UMass up by seven. Diallo and Mitchell combined for 27 of the Minutemen's 49 rebounds on the night, while captain Carl Pierre added 13 points (11 in the first half).
It was slow going for both teams in the opening 20 minutes, with the Minutemen shooting 27% (9-of-33) and the Rams 29% (8-of-27), with neither squad holding more than a six-point edge. Fordham would use a 10-0 run over 4:36 to take a 10-4 lead six minutes in, holding UMass to an 0-of-10 showing from the floor in that span.
The Minuteman offense would wake up as the half continued, responding with a 7-0 run of its own capped by a thunderous dunk from Dibaji Walker (seven points, five rebounds) to give Massachusetts its first lead of the afternoon at 11-10 with less than nine minutes before the break before closing the half on a 10-4 run to lead by three at recess, 24-21.
Mitchell and Diallo controlled the glass for the visitors in the first half, combining for 14 of the team's 24 rebounds (Mitchell 8; Diallo 6). At the other end, Soriano nearly posted his double-double in the first half with seven points (3-of-5) along with 11 rebounds.
It was the Mitchell Show in the second half as the freshman went 5-of-13 from the floor (5-of-6 free throws) for UMass, which led by as many as 10 in the final 20 minutes. Fordham would hang in it, though, and got the deficit down to as little as five in the final minute, but free throws from Sean East II and Mitchell down the stretch gave the visitors a three-possession lead.
Fordham shot 31% overall (18-of-58) and also received 11 points from Josh Colon.
UMass will return home on Wednesday when the Minutemen welcome VCU to the Mullins Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff on NESNplus.
For the final two home games, fans can purchase two tickets to either the VCU or Rhode Island game for just $18. Tickets can be purchased now online through the UMass Athletics Ticket Central page, by calling the ticket office at 866-UMASS-TIX, or by visiting the Mullins Center Box Office.
The victory gives Massachusetts its first win at Fordham since Feb. 4, 2015 and brings the conference win total to six, the most since the 2015-16 season.
Mitchell, who was held scoreless in the first half going up against Fordham's Joel Soriano (14 points, 16 rebounds), went to work in the second half to finish with 15 points and 19 rebounds on the night, one board shy of becoming the first Minuteman with 20 rebounds in a game since Jim Town on Dec. 12, 1976.
Samba Diallo was solid all game for Massachusetts, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals, highlighted by a steal and dunk with five minutes to play that put UMass up by seven. Diallo and Mitchell combined for 27 of the Minutemen's 49 rebounds on the night, while captain Carl Pierre added 13 points (11 in the first half).
It was slow going for both teams in the opening 20 minutes, with the Minutemen shooting 27% (9-of-33) and the Rams 29% (8-of-27), with neither squad holding more than a six-point edge. Fordham would use a 10-0 run over 4:36 to take a 10-4 lead six minutes in, holding UMass to an 0-of-10 showing from the floor in that span.
The Minuteman offense would wake up as the half continued, responding with a 7-0 run of its own capped by a thunderous dunk from Dibaji Walker (seven points, five rebounds) to give Massachusetts its first lead of the afternoon at 11-10 with less than nine minutes before the break before closing the half on a 10-4 run to lead by three at recess, 24-21.
Mitchell and Diallo controlled the glass for the visitors in the first half, combining for 14 of the team's 24 rebounds (Mitchell 8; Diallo 6). At the other end, Soriano nearly posted his double-double in the first half with seven points (3-of-5) along with 11 rebounds.
It was the Mitchell Show in the second half as the freshman went 5-of-13 from the floor (5-of-6 free throws) for UMass, which led by as many as 10 in the final 20 minutes. Fordham would hang in it, though, and got the deficit down to as little as five in the final minute, but free throws from Sean East II and Mitchell down the stretch gave the visitors a three-possession lead.
Fordham shot 31% overall (18-of-58) and also received 11 points from Josh Colon.
UMass will return home on Wednesday when the Minutemen welcome VCU to the Mullins Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff on NESNplus.
For the final two home games, fans can purchase two tickets to either the VCU or Rhode Island game for just $18. Tickets can be purchased now online through the UMass Athletics Ticket Central page, by calling the ticket office at 866-UMASS-TIX, or by visiting the Mullins Center Box Office.
Team Stats
UMASS
FU
FG%
.328
.310
3FG%
.200
.214
FT%
.857
.583
RB
49
35
TO
10
10
STL
7
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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