The Massachusetts Minutemen (1-3, 0-0 Atlantic 10) lost in overtime to the Hofstra Pride (4-0, 0-0 Coastal Athletic Association) 75-71 on Saturday night. The Minutemen still hold a 3-2 lead over the Pride in the all-time series history.
This game started with Hofstra getting out to a hot start which forced UMass to call a timeout to try and regroup and keep the lead that the Pride created small. The Minutemen had Daniel Hankins-Sanford help get momentum in the first half, scoring 10 of his total points in the first half. UMass was able to get the lead down to 5 points going into halftime with the help of Shahid Muhammad blocking a basket that Hofstra tried to make to get their lead to up tp 7. Throughout the second half Jaylen Curry and Rahsool Diggins made big key shots that helped the Minutemen get the lead within single digits and tied the game several times within the final minutes of the second half. Curry went to the free throw line to shoot two free throws with 3.4 seconds left down 63-62. He made the first one to tie the game, but missed the second which resulted in the game staying tied, and the Pride having the chance to win the game, but they fumbled their inbounce play resulting in overtime. Through the first few minutes of overtime, UMass struggled to make shots and Hofstra took advantage and retook the lead, and the Minutemen could not find a way to take the lead back.
The Minutemen had three players in double-figure scoring on Saturday night. Jaylen Curry had a career night of 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, Rahsool Diggins had 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal, and Daniel Hankins-Sanford had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals for scorers in double digits. Akil Watson had 5 points, Malek Abdelgowad had 5 points and 5 rebounds, Shahid Muhammadhad 5 points, 5 blocks, and 4 rebounds, Jayden Ndjigue had 3 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, Nate Guerngomba had 2 points, and Daniel Rivera had 1 point to round out all scorers for the Minutemen.
UMass travels down to Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut for the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off to face the Temple Owls (3-1, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) on Saturday, November 23rd at 5pm and the Florida State Seminoles (3-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) on Sunday, November 24th at 3:30pm. This will be the 67th meeting between the Minutemen and the Owls, and Temple has a 43-23 lead in the all-time series history against UMass. This will be the 9th meeting between the Seminoles and the Minutemen, and the series matchup is tied at 4-4 between Florida State and UMass.
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 either Sports Broadcasting and Journalism or Coaching. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
