The Massachusetts Minutemen (14-7, 5-4 A-10) narrowly defeated the George Mason Patriots (15-7, 4-5 A-10) 66-65 on Saturday afternoon. The Patriots still have a 12-6 lead over the Minutemen in the all-time series history.
UMass started the game on a six-to-nothing run over the first two minutes. Mason then came back started a run, and held the Minutemen scoreless for over six minutes of the first ten minutes in the game. This game ended up getting physical and remained close with neither team taking more than an eight-point lead. UMass and Mason tied the game up eight times, and we witnessed ten different lead changes throughout the game. While the Patriots and the Minutemen have a history of going into overtime in the past few meetings Saturday afternoon was not the same case. Jayden Ndjigue and Rahsool Diggins nailed big three-pointers late in the game that helped the Minutemen get the lead before it got tied up by Mason. Baraka Okojie tied the game up for the Patriots with one second left in regulation. UMass inbounded the ball, and Diggins was starting to go ahead and try for the full-court heave at the end of the game, but Keyshawn Hall committed a foul as the time was expiring. Rahsool Diggins made one of the two free throws which gave the Minutemen a one-point lead with eight-tenths of a second left. The Patriots tried for the full-court heave, but it did not go in.
The Patriots had three players in double-figure scoring. Hall led the way for Mason with 23 points, Darius Maddox had 14 points, and Woody Newton had 11 points and 6 rebounds to round out scorers in double digits. Ronald Polite III had 9 points, Okojie had 5 points, and Amari Kelly had 3 points to round out all scorers for the Patriots.
The Minutemen had four players in double-figure scoring. Josh Cohen led the way for UMass with 17 points and 6 rebounds, Diggins had 14 points, Keon Thompson had 12 points, and Ndjigue had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists to round out scorers in double digits. Matt Cross had 9 points and 9 rebounds, Daniel Hankins-Sanford had 2 points and 7 rebounds, and Jaylen Curry had 2 points to round out scorers for the Minutemen.
George Mason travels back to EagleBank Arena to face the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (15-7, 7-2 A-10) on Wednesday, February 7th at 7pm on ESPN+. This will be the 3rd meeting between these two teams, and the series is tied 1-1 between the Patriots and the Ramblers.
UMass travels out to the Reilly Center to face the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (13-8, 4-5 A-10) on Wednesday, February 7th at 7pm on Peacock. This will be the 76th all-time meeting, and the Minutemen have a 42-33 lead over the Bonnies.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Scoreboard Update:
- Friday, February 2nd
- The Dayton Flyers (18-3, 8-1) defeated the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (13-8, 4-5) 76-71.
- Saturday, February 3rd
- The Massachusetts Minutemen (14-7, 5-4) narrowly defeated the George Mason Patriots (15-7, 4-5) 66-65.
- The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (15-7, 5-4) defeated the La Salle Explorers (11-11, 2-7) 88-82.
- The Duquesne Dukes (13-8, 3-5) defeated the Rhode Island Rams (10-12, 4-5) 85-71.
- The Fordham Rams (10-12, 4-5) narrowly defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (8-14, 1-8) 67-65.
- The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (14-8, 6-3) defeated the Richmond Spiders (16-6, 8-1) 63-52.
- Sunday, February 4th
- The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (15-7, 7-2) defeated the Davidson Wildcats (12-9, 2-6) 76-63.
Upcoming Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Games:
- Tuesday, February 6th
- Rhode Island Rams (10-12, 4-5) at George Washington Revolutionaries (14-7, 3-5) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (14-8, 6-3) at Fordham Rams (10-112, 4-5) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Dayton Flyers (18-3, 8-1) at Saint Joseph’s Hawks (15-7, 5-4) at 8pm on CBSSN.
- Wednesday, February 7th
- Saint Louis Billikens (8-14, 1-8) at La Salle Explorers (11-11, 2-7) at 6:30pm on ESPN+.
- Massachusetts Minutemen (14-7, 5-4) at Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (13-8, 4-5) at 7pm on Peacock.
- Loyola Chicago Ramblers (15-7, 7-2) at George Mason Patriots (15-7, 4-5) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Davidson Wildcats (12-9, 2-6) at Duquesne Dukes (13-8, 3-5) at 7pm on ESPN+.
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.