University of Massachusets Athletics
Wednesday, February 26
Amherst, Mass.
7:00 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
13-15 (7-8 A-10)
60
vs
52
VCU
17-11 (7-8 A-10)
1
2
F
VCU
33
19
52
Massachusetts
28
32
60
Pierre And Mitchell Send UMass To Third Straight Victory In 60-52 Win Over VCU
February 26, 2020 | Men's Basketball
Tre Mitchell recorded his third double-double in the last four games (19 points, 15 rebounds)
AMHERST, Mass. – Captain Carl Pierre had a game-high 21 points and Tre Mitchell had 19 points and 15 rebounds as the UMass men's basketball team (13-15, 7-8) held VCU (17-11, 7-8) to 19 second half points to pick up its fourth win in the last games in a 60-52 victory on Wednesday night at the Mullins Center.
The win gives the Minutemen their most conference wins since the 2014-15 season, snaps a four-game losing streak to the Rams dating back to 2016, and marks the 11th home win of the season.
Mitchell's night gave him his second straight double-double and third in the last four games, the second time this season UMass has had a player record a double-double in consecutive games (Samba Diallo at Saint Louis and vs. La Salle). The reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week also finished with three blocks, all coming in the final three minutes including one on Marcus Santos-Silva that resulted in a turnaround jumper for Mitchell at the other end to give the hosts a 48-43 lead that they never relinquished.
Pierre's 21 points were the most for the junior since scoring 23 at George Mason on Jan. 22, leading a Minuteman squad that shot 43% from the floor overall (21-of-49) and outrebounded the Rams 37-35 after having a -7 differential at halftime.
Santos-Silva led VCU with 14 points and 11 rebounds and was aided by De'Riante Jenkins with 13 points and seven rebounds.
With both teams shooting over 40% in the first half, it was a battle of the big men with Mitchell getting off to a hot start with 10 points (5-of-7) and seven rebounds, while Santos-Silva had nine points on 4-of-5 shooting and eight boards.
Pierre found his stroke as the half wore on, finishing 4-of-5 to head into the break with 13 points to lead all scorers, while De'Riante Jenkins kept pace with 10 points as the Rams used a 7-2 run down the stretch to enter halftime with a 33-28 edge.
Both teams got off to a cold start out of the break, with VCU holding an eight-point lead at 38-30 five minutes in before the Minutemen rattled off an 11-0 run over nearly four minutes, highlighted by threes from Mitchell, Pierre and Sean East II to take its first lead since midway through the first half at 41-38.
VCU would keep it within a possession until the six-minute mark when Keon Clergeot buried a three from the elbow to put the hosts up 46-42 with 6:21 left, and sealed it with defense and free throws late.
The Minutemen will head back on the road on Saturday afternoon when Massachusetts travels to Richmond for a 6 p.m. tipoff on ESPN+.
For the final home game against Rhode Island on March 7, fans can purchase two tickets 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 win gives the Minutemen their most conference wins since the 2014-15 season, snaps a four-game losing streak to the Rams dating back to 2016, and marks the 11th home win of the season.
Mitchell's night gave him his second straight double-double and third in the last four games, the second time this season UMass has had a player record a double-double in consecutive games (Samba Diallo at Saint Louis and vs. La Salle). The reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week also finished with three blocks, all coming in the final three minutes including one on Marcus Santos-Silva that resulted in a turnaround jumper for Mitchell at the other end to give the hosts a 48-43 lead that they never relinquished.
Pierre's 21 points were the most for the junior since scoring 23 at George Mason on Jan. 22, leading a Minuteman squad that shot 43% from the floor overall (21-of-49) and outrebounded the Rams 37-35 after having a -7 differential at halftime.
Santos-Silva led VCU with 14 points and 11 rebounds and was aided by De'Riante Jenkins with 13 points and seven rebounds.
With both teams shooting over 40% in the first half, it was a battle of the big men with Mitchell getting off to a hot start with 10 points (5-of-7) and seven rebounds, while Santos-Silva had nine points on 4-of-5 shooting and eight boards.
Pierre found his stroke as the half wore on, finishing 4-of-5 to head into the break with 13 points to lead all scorers, while De'Riante Jenkins kept pace with 10 points as the Rams used a 7-2 run down the stretch to enter halftime with a 33-28 edge.
Both teams got off to a cold start out of the break, with VCU holding an eight-point lead at 38-30 five minutes in before the Minutemen rattled off an 11-0 run over nearly four minutes, highlighted by threes from Mitchell, Pierre and Sean East II to take its first lead since midway through the first half at 41-38.
VCU would keep it within a possession until the six-minute mark when Keon Clergeot buried a three from the elbow to put the hosts up 46-42 with 6:21 left, and sealed it with defense and free throws late.
The Minutemen will head back on the road on Saturday afternoon when Massachusetts travels to Richmond for a 6 p.m. tipoff on ESPN+.
For the final home game against Rhode Island on March 7, fans can purchase two tickets 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
VCU
UMASS
FG%
.316
.429
3FG%
.294
.368
FT%
.786
.647
RB
35
37
TO
10
13
STL
5
6
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
7
Pts
19
FGM
9
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
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/ Men's BasketballG
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/ Men's BasketballG
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