University of Massachusets Athletics
Thursday, November 17
Conway, S.C. (HTC Center)
1:30 PM
University of Massachusetts
2-1,0-0Atlantic 10
66
vs
63
Colorado
2-2,0-0Pac-12
1
2
F
Colorado
34
29
63
Massachusetts
37
29
66
UMass Holds On To Defeat Colorado At Myrtle Beach Invitational, 66-63
November 17, 2022 | Men's Basketball
Noah Fernandes poured in a game-high 22 points while RJ Luis added a career-best 18 off the bench.
CONWAY, S.C. – Noah Fernandes scored a game-high 22 points while RJ Luis added a career-high 18 points off the bench as the Massachusetts Minutemen defeated Colorado in the opening game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational, 66-63. The Minutemen (2-1 Overall) held Colorado to 34-percent from the field and under 30-percent in the final 20 minutes of play.
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Colorado opened the game 6-of-8 from the field to jump out to a six-point advantage less than five minutes into the game, its largest of the day.
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Luis provided a spark off the bench for the Minutemen, knocking down his first four shots for a total of nine points. The freshman added a 3-pointer with just under 13 minutes remaining to give the Minutemen a 16-15 lead, its first since the opening bucket. The Minutemen held a three-point advantage at the break and shot 53-percent from the field behind 13 points from Luis and 11 from Fernandes.
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UMass built a lead as large as 11 twice on the afternoon, first after an 11-0 run to go ahead 58-47 that was capped off by four straight points for Isaac Kante. Kante kept his streak going after a Colorado bucket to extend it to six consecutive points on his way to finishing with 10 points on 5-of-8 and four rebounds.
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After the Minutemen stretched their lead back to 11 points with 7:31 remaining, the Buffaloes chipped away and eventually cut their deficit to three points with 4:12 left. UMass held a two-point lead with 53 seconds left and came up with a stop on the defensive end to set up Fernandes free throws with 9 seconds remaining. Fernandes knocked down one of two and Colorado missed a pair of game-tying 3-pointers as the clock ran out.
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Matt Cross pulled down a team-high eight rebounds while Luis and T.J. Weeks Jr. each chipped in five boards on the afternoon.
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The Minutemen continue play at the Myrtle Beach Invitational tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2 against either No. 24-ranked Texas A&M or Murray State.
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For complete coverage of the UMass men's basketball team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter at @UMassMBB, on Instagram and Facebook at @UMassBasketball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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Colorado opened the game 6-of-8 from the field to jump out to a six-point advantage less than five minutes into the game, its largest of the day.
Â
Luis provided a spark off the bench for the Minutemen, knocking down his first four shots for a total of nine points. The freshman added a 3-pointer with just under 13 minutes remaining to give the Minutemen a 16-15 lead, its first since the opening bucket. The Minutemen held a three-point advantage at the break and shot 53-percent from the field behind 13 points from Luis and 11 from Fernandes.
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UMass built a lead as large as 11 twice on the afternoon, first after an 11-0 run to go ahead 58-47 that was capped off by four straight points for Isaac Kante. Kante kept his streak going after a Colorado bucket to extend it to six consecutive points on his way to finishing with 10 points on 5-of-8 and four rebounds.
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After the Minutemen stretched their lead back to 11 points with 7:31 remaining, the Buffaloes chipped away and eventually cut their deficit to three points with 4:12 left. UMass held a two-point lead with 53 seconds left and came up with a stop on the defensive end to set up Fernandes free throws with 9 seconds remaining. Fernandes knocked down one of two and Colorado missed a pair of game-tying 3-pointers as the clock ran out.
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Matt Cross pulled down a team-high eight rebounds while Luis and T.J. Weeks Jr. each chipped in five boards on the afternoon.
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The Minutemen continue play at the Myrtle Beach Invitational tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2 against either No. 24-ranked Texas A&M or Murray State.
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For complete coverage of the UMass men's basketball team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter at @UMassMBB, on Instagram and Facebook at @UMassBasketball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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Team Stats
CU
UMass
FG%
.342
.472
3FG%
.240
.273
FT%
.538
.591
RB
43
38
TO
13
18
STL
7
6
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
9
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
4
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
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