The Saint Joseph’s Hawks ( 13-6, 3-3 A-10) narrowly defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen (12-7, 3-4 A-10) 78-77 in a thriller on Wednesday night. The Minutemen still hold a 42-38 lead over the Hawks in the all-time series history.
The game started with Erik Reynolds II nailing back-to-back three-pointers to give Saint Joe’s a quick 6-2 lead within the first minute of the game. UMass then held the Hawks scoreless to go into the first media timeout while being on an 8-0 run with the help of Keon Thompson and Rahsool Diggins. The first half was a bunch of back and forth, with being tied twice and only having one lead change. Going into halftime the Minutemen had a four-point lead, but Saint Joe’s came out in the second half looking to take a lead. The Hawks did end up tying the game up at 48 points at the 16:48 mark in the second half. After that, UMass went on a 9-0 run three minutes later in the game, forcing Saint Joe’s to call a timeout. The Minutemen then had their largest lead of the game with 10:33 left in regulation, leading to another timeout called by the Hawks. That timeout called by Saint Joe’s, marked the start of a comeback by the Hawks. Within the last four minutes, the game had several lead changes and ties. With twelve seconds left in the game, Diggins makes the layup that would give UMass a 77-76 lead. The Minutemen called timeout to set up their defense, but it led to Lynn Greer III going up for a layup that would win the game for the Hawks.
The Hawks had two players in double-figures for scoring on Tuesday night. Reynolds II led Saint Joe’s with 31 points and Xzayvier Brown had 11 points to round out all double-digit scorers for the Hawks. Rasheer Fleming has 8 points and 11 rebounds, Cameron Brown and Greer III each had 7 points, Christ Essandoko and Anthony Finkley had 5 points apiece, and Shawn Simmons II and Kacper Klaczek each had 2 points to round out all scorers for Saint Joe’s.
The Minutemen had four players in double figures for scoring on Tuesday night. Diggins led the way for UMass with 17 points. Daniel Hankins-Sanford earned a new career-high of 16 points while grabbing 6 rebounds and blocking 2 shots, Matt Cross had 12 points and 9 rebounds in his return to the court after missing the last 3 games, and Thompson had 10 points to round out all scorers in double digits for the Minutemen. Jayden Ndjigue had 8 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, Jaylen Curry had 8 points, and Josh Cohen had 6 points to round out all scorers for UMass.
Saint Joe’s travels to the Reilly Center to face the St. Bonaventure Bonnies (11-7, 2-4 A-10) on Friday, January 26th at 8:30pm on EPSN2. This will be the 84th all-time meeting between these two teams, and the Hawks lead 51-32 over the Bonnies.
UMass travels to Chaifetz Arena to face off against the Saint Louis Billikens (8-10, 1-4 A-10) on Saturday, January 27th at 8pm ET on ESPN+. This is the 25th all-time meeting, and the Billikens lead 17-8 over the Minutemen.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Scoreboard Tuesday, January 24th:
- The #16 Dayton Flyers (16-2, 6-0) defeated the La Salle Explorers (10-9, 1-5) 66-54.
- The Duquesne Dukes (10-8, 1-5) defeated the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (11-7, 2-4) 50-54.
- The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (13-6, 3-3) narrowly defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen (12-7, 3-4) 78-77.
- The Virginia Commonwealth Rams (9-5, 4-2) defeated the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (13-7, 5-2) 74-67.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Wednesday, January 24th:
- Davidson Wildcats (11-7, 1-4) at Saint Louis Billikens (8-10, 1-4) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Fordham Rams (8-10, 2-3) at Rhode Island Rams (9-9, 3-2) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- George Washington Revolutionaries (14-4, 3-2) at Richmond Spiders (13-5, 5-0) at 7pm on NBC Sports App.
- Friday, January 26th
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks (13-6, 3-3) at Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (11-7, 2-4) at 8:30pm on ESPN2.
- Saturday, January 27th
- Fordham Rams (8-10, 2-3) at Duquesne Dukes (10-8, 1-5) at 12:30pm on USA Network.
- Rhode Island Rams (9-9, 3-2) at George Mason Patriots (14-5, 3-3) at 4pm on ESPN+.
- #16 Dayton Flyers (16-2, 6-0) at Richmond Spiders (13-5, 5-0) at 6pm on CBSSN.
- La Salle Explorers (10-9, 1-5) at George Washington Revolutionaries (14-4, 3-2) at 6pm on ESPN+.
- Massachusetts Minutemen (12-7, 3-4) at Saint Louis Billikens (8-10, 1-4) at 8pm on ESPN+.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (9-5, 4-2) at Davidson Wildcats (11-7, 1-4) at 8pm on CBSSN.
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.
