Fireworks On Offense Send No. 5 UMass Past No. 13 Saint Joseph's, 100-66

RICHMOND – Sparked by a 59-point first half, its best shooting percentage of the season and 15 made three-point field goals, the fifth-seeded Massachusetts men's basketball team (8-6) bolted out to an early lead against No. 13 Saint Joseph's (5-15) and never looked back, storming past the Hawks on Thursday afternoon at Robins Center, 100-66.

The 34-point win is the largest margin of victory in Atlantic 10 Championship history and marks just the fifth time in league history that a team has scored 100 points in an A-10 postseason game, and first time since 1992. It is the 45th time in program history that UMass scored 100 points in a game, and first time since 2018.

With the victory, Massachusetts advances to the Atlantic 10 Quarterfinals for the first time since 2016. The Minutemen will take on No. 4 Saint Louis on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. on NBCSN.

"We've talked a lot the last two days about controlling the things that we can control," said head coach Matt McCall. "The two things that we always have control over is our ability to play unselfish on offense and our ability to play with great effort. We did those things today, and I'm very proud of our team. I thought we came out with the right focus and the right mentality. We don't have to be worried about shots, minutes, points, assists, any of that stuff. We put our focus on playing unselfishly and defending at a high clip."

The Minutemen finished the game 40-of-72 from the floor (55.6%) and 15-of-38 from three, tied for the second most made three-point fields goals in team history and Atlantic 10 Championship history. UMass had six players in double-figures, the first time that's happened since 2013, led by 19 points from freshman Ronnie DeGray III. DeGray III was 8-of-11 from the floor and added four rebounds.

Tre Mitchell had a strong game on both ends of the floor, recording his second double-double of the season with 15 points (7-of-10) and 11 rebounds. He was joined in double-figures by Javohn Garcia (17 points, seven assists, five rebounds), Noah Fernandes (14 points, five rebounds, four assists), Carl Pierre (14 points; 4-of-7 from three, seven rebounds) and T.J. Weeks Jr. (14 points; 4-of-6 from deep).

UMass shot the lights out in the first half, going 23-of-35 overall and 12-of-20 from deep to lead 59-36 at the half, tied for the fourth most points in a half in championship history and most for the Minutemen in a half since 2008.

DeGray III got things started early and often for UMass, dropping 13 points on 5-of-8 from the floor in 14 minutes, while Weeks Jr. found his stroke midway through the half to finish 4-of-6 from deep for 14 points at recess to cap an 18-0 run that gave Massachusetts a commanding lead early.

It was more of the same coming out in the second half as the Minutemen used a 11-0 run out of the gates, highlighted by three straight threes from Pierre to balloon the UMass lead to as many as 37 before McCall emptied the bench late in the game.

Massachusetts also controlled the glass throughout the afternoon with a 47-30 advantage in rebounding and added 20 assists, both season highs.

"There's been a lot thrown at them, and they continue to bring great attitudes," said McCall. "It was a great win, and now it's on to tomorrow."

Scoreboard

Fireworks On Offense Send No. 5 UMass Past No. 13 Saint Joseph's, 100-66

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Team Stats

Ronnie DeGray III

Javohn Garcia

Tre Mitchell

Noah Fernandes

Players Mentioned

Ronnie DeGray III

Noah Fernandes

Javohn Garcia

Tre Mitchell

Carl Pierre

T.J. Weeks Jr.

Players Mentioned

Ronnie DeGray III

Noah Fernandes

Javohn Garcia

Tre Mitchell

Carl Pierre

T.J. Weeks Jr.

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics