The Massachusetts Minutemen(13-7, 4-4 A-10) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (8-12, 1-6 A-10) 84-73 on Saturday night. The Billikens still have a 17-9 lead over the Minutemen in the all-time series history.
The game started with Saint Louis having the momentum, but that all changed midway through the first half. Coming out of the under-eight-minute timeout, UMass had gained momentum in their favor. The Minutemen then went on a 10-0 run, which forced Travis Ford and the Billikens to call two timeouts between the under-eight timeout and halftime. Saint Louis cut the lead that UMass had down to five points. Saint Louis started the second half by cutting the lead to three points, but the Minutemen had other plans. UMass had gotten the lead back out to seven points and kept the lead for the remainder of the game.
The Billikens had four players in double-figure scoring. Gibson Jimerson led Saint Louis with 16 points, Larry Hughes II earned a new career-high 14 points, Bradley Ezewiro had 12 points, and Terrence Hargrove had 10 points to round out all scorers in double digits. Mike Meadows had 9 points, Djordje Curcic had 8 points, and Sincere Parker and Stef van Bussel each had 2 points to round out all scorers for the Billikens.
The Minutemen had four players in double-figure scoring Saturday night. Matt Cross led the way for UMass with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals. Rahsool Diggins had 15 points, Keon Thompson had 14 points, and Jaylen Curry had 11 points to round out all scorers in double digits. Josh Cohen had 8 points, Daniel Hankins-Sanford had 8 points and 10 rebounds, Jayden Ndjigue had 6 points, and Robert Davis Jr. had 3 points to round out all scorers for the Minutemen.
Saint Louis travels to Gentile Arena to face the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (13-7, 5-2 A-10) on Tuesday, January 30th at 8pm ET. This will be the second meeting of the season, and the Ramblers won that game 80-73 on January 3rd.
UMass travels back to the Mullins Center to face the George Mason Patriots (15-5, 4-3 A-10) on Saturday, February 3rd at 12pm. This will be the 18th meeting between these two teams, and the Patriots have a 12-5 lead over the Minutemen.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Scoreboard:
- Friday, January 26th
- The Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (13-7, 3-4) defeated the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (13-7, 3-4) 91-72.
- Saturday, January 27th
- The Duquesne Dukes (11-8, 2-5) defeated the Fordham Rams (9-11, 3-4) 68-59.
- George Mason Patriots (15-5, 4-3) defeated the Rhode Island Rams (9-11, 3-4) 92-84.
- The Richmond Spiders (15-5, 7-0) defeated the #16 Dayton Flyers (16-3, 6-1) 69-64.
- The La Salle Explorers (11-9, 2-5) defeated the George Washington Revolutionaries (14-6, 3-4) 80-70.
- The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (13-7, 5-2) defeated the Davidson Wildcats (12-8, 2-5) 63-58.
- The Massachusetts Minutemen (13-7, 4-4) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (8-12, 1-6) 84- 73.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Tuesday, January 30th
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (13-7, 5-2) at Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (13-7, 3-4) at 7pm on CBSSN.
- George Washington Revolutionaries (14-6, 3-4) at #16 Dayton Flyers (16-3, 6-1) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Saint Louis Billikens (8-12, 1-6) at Loyola Chicago Ramblers (13-7, 5-2) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Wednesday, January 31st
- La Salle Explorers (11-9, 2-5) at Rhode Island Rams (9-11, 3-4) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- George Mason Patriots (15-5, 4-3) at Saint Joseph’s Hawks (13-7, 3-4) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Richmond Spiders (15-5, 7-0) at Fordham Rams (9-11, 3-4) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Chicago State at Duquense Dukes (11-8, 2-5) at 7pm on ESPN+. (non-conference game)
Featured Image: Chris Tucci, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
