The Massachusetts Minutemen (15-8, 6-5 A-10) narrowly defeated conference rival the Rhode Island Rams (11-13, 5-6 A-10) 81-79 on Sunday afternoon. The Rams and the Minutemen split the season series this year, winning games on their respective home court. UMass extends their lead in the all-time series history over Rhode Island 95-69.
The game started with it being very physical, and neither team really grabbing the lead until midway through the first half. From the start, you could tell that the rivalry between UMass and Rhode Island was apparent, especially with players getting in it, which led to technical fouls being assessed. The Rams gained momentum and were starting to pull away until the Minutemen made some key shots in the first half. Going into halftime, Rhode Island had a three-point lead, but it was almost a tie game with buzzer-beater attempts from Jaylen Curry and Jayden Ndjigue that were just off target. Coming out of the half, the Minutemen started to see shots go down, and the momentum shifted in the favor of UMass. After that, the Minutemen were able to gain a comfortable fourteen points, but the Rams weren’t going to give up that easy. Rhode Island cut the fourteen-point lead that UMass down to just five points three minutes later. The Minutemen bounced back, but the Rams did not want to give up.
There were four different players in double-figure scoring for Rhode Island. Jaden House led the Rams with 22 points, Luis Kortright had 15 points and 5 rebounds, David Green had 11 points, and David Fuchs had 10 points to round out scorers in double digits. Brandon Weston had 8 points and 5 assists, Zek Montgomery had 5 points, and Cam Estevez and Tyson Brown both had 4 points to round out all scorers.
There were five different players in double-figure scoring for UMass on Sunday. Rahsool Diggins led the way for the Minutemen with 18 points (6-11 3FG), Keon Thompson had 16 points and 6 rebounds, Josh Cohen had 13 points and 6 rebounds, Matt Cross had 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Curry had 10 points to round out scorers in double digits. Robert Davis Jr. had 7 points, Ndjigue had 5 points, and Daniel Hankins-Sanford had 2 points to round out all scorers.
UMass travels to the Robins Center to face the Richmond Spiders (17-6, 9-1 A-10) on Wednesday, February 14th at 7pm on ESPN+. This will be the 26th meeting between these two teams, and the Spiders lead the series 17-8 over the Minutemen.
Rhode Island travels back home to the Ryan Center for its bye week, and face the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (17-7, 9-2 A-10) on Sunday, February 18th at 12pm on CBSSN. This will be the second meeting between these two teams, and the Rams have a 1-0 lead over the Ramblers.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Scoreboard:
- Friday, February 9th
- The Virginia Commonwealth Rams (16-8, 8-3) defeated the Dayton Flyers (19-4, 9-2) 49-47.
- Saturday, February 10th
- The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (17-7, 9-2) defeated the George Washington Revolutionaries (14-9, 3-7) 81-73.
- The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (16-8, 6-5) narrowly defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (9-15, 2-9) 87-86.
- The Richmond Spiders (17-6, 9-1) defeated the La Salle Explorers (11-13, 2-9) 82-65.
- The Duquesne Dukes (14-9, 4-6) defeated the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (14-9, 5-6) 75-69.
- The George Mason Patriots (16-8, 5-6) narrowly defeated the Davidson Wildcats (13-10, 3-7) 57-55.
- Sunday, February 11th
- The Massachusetts Minutemen (15-8, 6-5) narrowly defeated the Rhode Island Rams (11-13, 5-6) 81-79.
Upcoming Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Schedule:
- Tuesday, February 13th
- George Washington Revolutionaries (14-9, 3-7) at George Mason Patriots (16-8, 5-6) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- La Salle Explorers (11-13, 2-9) at Davidson Wildcats (13-10, 3-7) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Duquesne Dukes (14-9, 4-6) at Dayton Flyers (19-4, 9-2) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Wednesday, February 14th
- Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (14-9, 5-6) at Fordham Rams (10-13, 4-6) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Massachusetts Minutemen (15-8, 6-5) at Richmond Spiders (17-6, 9-1) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks (16-8, 6-5) at Loyola Chicago Ramblers (17-6, 9-2) at 8pm 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.
