Massachusetts Falls Short Against URI, 89-77

KINGSTON, RI. - Massachusetts (11-5, 2-2) fell short against Rhode Island (9-7, 3-0), 89-77 at the Ryan Center on Saturday afternoon. Josh Cohen led the Minutemen for the second game in a row with his second consecutive double-double.

Cohen finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds and is the first Minuteman to record consecutive double-doubles since teammate Matt Cross did so last season against VCU (1/17/23) and Saint Joseph's (1/21/23).

In his first career start, Daniel Hankins-Sanford finished with ten points and six rebounds following his double-double performance against La Salle on Wednesday. The Charlotte native shot 4-8 in 22 minutes.

Jaylen Curry continued to bring energy off the bench, scoring 14 points and dishing out four assists in a career high 26 minutes. Curry went 6-13 from the field and knocked down a pair of free throws.

The Minutemen once again controlled the action down low, owning the advantage on the glass for the 12th time this season while hauling in 18 offensive rebounds. Massachusetts parlayed that advantage into 46 points in the paint, in comparison to 22 for Rhode Island.

Massachusetts turned the ball over just five times on the afternoon, marking the second time this season the Minutemen have had 5 or fewer turnovers in a game. Before accomplishing the feat against UAlbany (11/08/23) earlier this season the Minutemen had not recorded five or fewer turnovers in a game since March 10, 2001 against Temple.

The Rams were led by Jaden House who scored a game-high 29 points while going 5-7 from beyond the arc.

Breaking Down The Action

Josh Cohen started the game with the first four baskets for UMass as first four buckets as the Minutemen trailed URI 14-9 six minutes into the game.
In his first start for UMass, Daniel Hankins-Sanford knocked down a three at 13:22.
Coming off the bench, Jaylen Curry scored six straight, making a pair of tough lay ups and knocking down a jumper to bring UMass back within five as they were down 24-19 at 10:59.
At the 8:32 mark, Cohen found a cutting Marqui Worthy for his first basket to bring the UMass deficit within double digits as the Rams led 31-23.
Tarique Foster got his name on the scorer's sheet after Curry found him underneath the rim at 7:04.
Cohen converted a three-point play at the 5:19 mark to get UMass within ten.
Curry continued to get downhill as the freshman got into double digits at the 1:24 mark. Curry brought the energy on the defensive side, recording a block and giving UMass possession as they trailed 46-37 with under a minute to go in the first half.
Keon Thompson scored the first basket in the second half for the Minutemen with a driving layup at 18:53.
A minute and a half later, Rahsool Diggins hit a step back three for his first points of the game.
Cohen continued his dominance in the paint, pulling down an offensive rebound and scoring his 16th and 17th points.
Trailing 70-56, Hankins-Sanford converted a three-point play to give him double digits with 10:35 remaining.
While holding the Rams to no field goals in three minutes, Diggins hit his second three pointer of the game to bring UMass within 12 as they trailed URI 86-74 with 2:24 remaining.

New Kids On The Block

Josh Cohen led UMass in scoring for the second consecutive game, finishing with 23 points on 7-12 shooting and pulling down 11 rebounds.
Jaylen Curry finished with 14 points and four assists across 26 minutes, a new career-high in minutes for the freshman.
In his first career start, Daniel Hankins-Sanford finished with ten points and six rebounds.
Hankins-Sanford and Curry both scored in double digits for the second consecutive game.
After joining the team in December, freshman forward Tyler Mason saw action for the first time, playing four minutes and recording a pair of rebounds.

Numbers To Know

2: Josh Cohen recorded a double-double for the second consecutive game, the first time a Minuteman has had back-to-back double-doubles since Matt Cross did so last year against VCU (1/17/23) and Saint Joseph's (1/21/23).
12: UMass outrebounded URI 38-37. It is the 12th time this season they've won the rebounding battle.
46: The Minutemen finished with 46 points in the paint in comparison to Rhode Island's 22. UMass has had 40+ points in the paint in 11 out of the 16 games this year.

Year Two Under Coach Martin

Massachusetts Head Coach, Frank Martin now holds a 26-21 record leading the Minutemen.
Martin now sits with a 314-222 collegiate career record.

Series History

UMass now has a 94-69 record all-time versus the Rams, dropping the 163rd matchup between the two programs.

Up Next

Massachusetts continues its road trip, facing Loyola Chicago on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. in Chicago, Ill. The broadcast can be found live on CBS Sports Network with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassMBB on X (Twitter).

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Josh Cohen

Matt Cross

Jaylen Curry

Rahsool Diggins

Tarique Foster

Daniel Hankins-Sanford

Tyler Mason

Keon Thompson

Marqui Worthy

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics