The Massachusetts Minutemen (3-6, 0-0 Atlantic 10) lost in a close matchup to the Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) Blue Devils (5-3, 0-0 Northeast Conference) 73-69 on Wednesday night. The Minutemen still hold onto a 9-5 lead over the Blue Devils.
UMass had trouble shooting from the field on Wednesday night, and it showed through the most important stretches of the game. The Minutemen were without Daniel Hankins-Sanford for the game on Wednesday due to a right-hand injury, and there is no clear timetable for his return. Daniel Rivera stepped up in his place again, producing his second double-double of the season. The Minutemen saw Rahsool Diggins start to make some shots from behind the arc in an attempt to keep CCSU from stealing a road win in Amherst. UMass was not able to stop the comeback resulting in another tough loss at home.
The Minutemen had three players in double-figure scoring on Wednesday night. Rivera led the way with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal, Diggins had 14 points 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, and Jaylen Curry had 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals to round out the scorers in double digits. Jayden Ndjigue had 7 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, Nate Guerengomba had 6 points, Marqui Worthy and Malek Abdelgowad both had 4 points, and Akil Watson had 3 points to round out all scorers for UMass.
Massachusetts continues their home stand with the UMass Lowell Riverhawks (5-4, 0-0 America East) coming to the Mullins Center on Saturday, December 7th for a noon time tip-off. This will be the fourteenth meeting between these two teams, and the Minutemen have a 10-3 lead over the Riverhawks.
Featured Image: Cameron Parnoff, 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.
