University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
14-9,5-6MAC
Eastern Michigan
9-13,3-7MAC
Men’s Basketball Defeats Eastern Michigan, 70-67
January 31, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Jayden Ndjigue scored a career-high 19 points in the win.
AMHERST, Mass. -- The University of Massachusetts men's basketball team defeated Eastern Michigan, 70-67, on Saturday night at the Mullins Center (4,753).
The Minutemen (14-9, 5-6 MAC) led through most of the game, with the Eagles (9-13, 3-7 MAC) taking over the lead at 5:19 of the second half. UMass quickly reclaimed the lead and held on for their third win in the last four games.
Graduate student Leonardo Bettiol posted his fifth double-double of the year, putting up 20 points and 10 rebounds, and added a team-high three steals. Jayden Ndjigue totaled a career-best 19 points, shooting 5-for-8 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Ndjigue had four assists, while Danny Carbuccia tallied a team-leading six.
Eastern Michigan had four players in double figures with Gregory Lawson leading the way with 20. Mohammad Habhab posted 15 points and a team-best nine rebounds. Addison Patterson and Jon Sanders finished with 10 points apiece.
How It Happened
- Danny Carbuccia, Marcus Banks Jr., Jayden Ndjigue, Leonardo Bettiol, and Daniel Hankins-Sanford started for the Minutemen.
- The Minutemen jumped out to an early 9-2 lead including four points by Bettiol.
- A Banks Jr., three at 13:04 pushed the UMass lead to 20-11.
- Luka Damjanac finished a layup to keep UMass in front by four, 22-18 at 9:20.
- A pair of Ndjigue free throws broke a 22-22 tie at 7:05.
- Dwayne Wimbley Jr., found space down low and converted a layup for a 32-24 lead at 4:31.
- K'Jei Parker closed the scoring in the first half with a pair of free throws, giving the Minutemen a 38-30 lad after 20 minutes of play.
- Ndjigue scored four of UMass' first seven points i the second half and the Minutemen led 45-39 at 14:22.
- Bettiol hit back-to-back shots to keep the Minutemen in front, 50-46, at the 11:28 mark.
- Jon Sanders hit a pair of free throws for Eastern Michigan to tie it at 55-55 with 6:55 to play in the second half.
- Bettiol made a tough layup and completed the and one free throw at 5:04 to regain the lead, 59-57.
- Ndjigue's layup at 2:16 gave the Minutemen a 63-59 lead.
- After a layup from the Eagles, Ndjigue responded with his own to pull ahead 65-63 with 1:16 remaining.
- Hankins-Sanford slammed home a Carbuccia pass for a 67-65 lead 39 seconds left and then Banks Jr. (one) and Parker (two) hit free throws to eventually win the game.
Numbers To Know
- 2: Two Minutemen recorded double-digit points on the night – Leonardo Bettiol (20) and Jayden Ndjigue (19).
- 5: Bettiol recorded his fifth double-double of the year with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
- 10: Ndjigue notched 10 points in the first half, going 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.
- 19: Ndjigue's point total marked a career-high.
- 30: The Minutemen edged out the Eagles in rebounding, 30-28
- 71.4: UMass shot 71.4 percent (25-for-35) from the free throw line.
Up Next
- The Minutemen open February with a 7 p.m. home game against Central Michigan on Tuesday, Feb. 3 (tickets).
- The game will be will be streamed on ESPN+ with live updates and links available at umassathletics.com or @UMassMBB on X (Twitter).
