University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
0-0,0-0Atlantic 10
Western Connecticut State (EXH)
0-0,0-0Little East
Massachusetts Downs Western Connecticut in Exhibition Game, 85-41
October 25, 2023 | Men's Basketball
The Minutemen shot a solid 41% from the floor, including 18-47 at the three-point line. Defensively, UMass limited Western Connecticut to just 13-46 from the field, allowing only a 14 percent conversion rate on three-point attempts. UMass dominated the glass, posting an impressive 50 rebounds across the full 40 minutes.
The first half was initially sparked by a game-high 13-0 run to put the Minutemen up by 19 points midway through the first 20 minutes.
Despite comeback attempts from Western Connecticut, Massachusetts rolled on scoring 10 points unanswered beginning at the 7:46 mark of the half. The scoring run included three made three-point baskets including one from Marqui Worthy which finished the scoring run with 3:51 remaining in the first half.
The Minutemen closed out the half by way of a dominant 2:30, 13-2 run. The five additional baskets put UMass up 47-17 heading into halftime.
Thompson put Massachusetts on the board first in the opening minute of the second half, bounding into the paint with the first dunk of the game.
After a closely contended second half, the Minutemen mounted a 10-0 run propelled by two triples from Freshman, Jayden Ndjigue and Davis Jr.
UMass accumulated their largest lead of the night, (46 points) with 36 seconds remaining in the second half, before the final buzzer rang to a 85-41 score.
We've got ourselves a shooter??
— UMass Men's Basketball (@UMassMBB) October 26, 2023
Rob Davis is a THREAT behind the arc
UMass 54, WestConn 21 pic.twitter.com/rtGtCYbpxo
In his Minuteman debut, Robert Davis Jr. led the team offensively, putting up 20 points, thanks in large part to six three-pointers across 23 minutes on the court. Davis Jr. was one of three Minutemen, (Rahsool Diggins, 15 and Matt Cross, 10) to reach double digits on the evening.
Defensively Mathok Majok dominated, posting 14 rebounds and three blocks.
Getting BIG on the boards??
— UMass Men's Basketball (@UMassMBB) October 26, 2023
Minutemen own a 37-20 advantage on the offensive glass tonight!!
UMass 76, WestConn 37 pic.twitter.com/ZZuL79SBaS
Breaking Down The Action
- UMass went ahead early as Josh Cohen scored his first basket as a Minutemen, before helping secure a 13-0 run.
- Defensively, Massachusetts held the Wolves scoreless for more than six minutes during this stretch, posting nine defensive rebounds.
- Massachusetts followed up with a 10-0 run, their second unanswered double-digit stretch of the evening.
- The first half concluded with a 13-2 UMass scoring run over the final 5:44 of the half.
- A Diggins layup gave the Minutemen a 47-17 advantage and sent them into halftime with their largest lead of the night.
- Diggins and Worthy led the team in scoring across the first 20 minutes of play, posting 10 and nine points, respectively.
- UMass kept Western Connecticut to a mere 8-24 from the field goal, and 0-8 from the line in the first half.
- Thompson got Massachusetts on the board first in the second half, slamming a dunk for his ninth point of the game.
- Mathok Majok scored his first career basket with a dunk of his own to make the score 59-24, with 13:56 left in the second half.
- The Minutemen took back the reins in the second half, claiming a 10-0 scoring run over 2:47, which commenced with a driving layup from Ndjigue and was completed with two made free-throws from Diggins with 4:06 left in regulation.
- Jaylen Curry capped the Minutemen's scoring on the night with a pair of free throws, earning his fifth point of the night and locking in a 85-39 lead with 00:36 on the clock.
- 5: Jaylen Curry proved effective in on-ball pressure, forcing a game-high five steals
- 6: Ndjigue showed prowess distributing the ball leading all players with six assists on the night.
- 14: Majok cleaned up on the glass, providing a game-high 14 rebounds including five on the offensive side of the ball.
- 20: Davis Jr. led the Minutemen with 20 points in his Massachusetts debut.
- 35: The Minutemen played fast, scoring 35 points off of turnovers.
- 38: Massachusetts was effective behind the arc sinking 18 three-point baskets, converting at 38.3 percent clip.
Up Next
- The Minutemen will officially open the 2023-24 campaign as they welcome UAlbany to the Mullins Center on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 PM with broadcast links made available at umassathletics.com.
