UMass basketball: Minutemen dominated by Florida State at Mohegan Sun for 5th straight loss

By GARRETT COTE

Staff Writer

Published: 11-24-2024 7:17 PM

It certainly was a weekend to forget at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. for the UMass men’s basketball team.

The Minutemen suffered two losses at the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament – the latter a 92-59 blowout at the hands of Florida State on Sunday afternoon.

Tied 25-25 following an Akil Watson made free throw, UMass was outscored by the Seminoles 12-2 the remainder of the first half.

And over the course of the final 20 minutes, the Minutemen allowed 55 points while putting up only 32 of their own as the Seminoles took advantage of 17 total UMass turnovers. Florida State scored 22 points off turnovers (to UMass’ 11) and dominated the paint (42-22 points inside) against the Minutemen.

Similar to UMass’ four other defeats this season, it struggled shooting the basketball. The Minutemen (1-5) were a disappointing 18-for-58 (31 percent) from the field and couldn’t find a rhythm from deep, shooting just 12 percent (3-for-24).

Malique Ewin scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for Florida State, who improved to 6-1 with the victory. Jamir Watkins added 14 points while Jerry Deng and Justin Thomas each put up 10 points off the bench. A dozen different Seminoles players scored, leading to a season-high 92 points against UMass.

For the Minutemen, Jaylen Curry was the offensive catalyst to no surprise. The sophomore guard netted a team-high 17 points on 4-of-9 shooting including 8-for-9 from the free throw line. Transfer Daniel Rivera scored 12 points while freshman Nate Guerengomba added 10 off the bench. Daniel Hankins-Sanford was a beast on the boards with a game-high 13, while Rahsool Diggins was limited to just four points on 2-for-13 shooting (0-for-8 from 3).

UMass returns to action on Wednesday, traveling to Cambridge for its annual battle with Harvard. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.

Saturday’s games

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Men’s basketball

Temple 87, UMass 80 – The Minutemen got off to a slow start in game one of the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., and once again couldn’t overcome it in an 87-80 defeat at the hands of an old rival on Saturday night.

The Owls built their lead to as many as 15 points in the first half, and although the Minutemen cut the deficit to seven by halftime, they could never get closer than four in the second. Temple’s lead hung around 10 for the majority of the latter half.

It was poor shooting that plagued UMass, as the Minutemen shot 39 percent from the field including 21 percent from behind the arc. Jaylen Curry scored a team-high 17 points and was the only starter to make a 3-point field goal. Daniel Hankins-Sanford tallied a dominant 15-point, 10-rebound double-double to continue his strong start to the season, while Shahid  Muhammad (12 points) and Jayden Ndjigue (11 points) con tributed offensively as well.

Rahsool Diggins was held without a 3-pointer for the first time this season, and scored a season-low two points as he went 0-for-6 from deep and 1-for-8 overall. UMass matched Temple’s 44 second-half points as a team, but it wasn’t enough to threaten the Owls’ lead.

Five different players scored in double figures for Temple (including two off the bench), headlined by Jamal Mashburn Jr.’s game-high 26 points. Mashburn Jr. transferred from New Mexico prior to the season and has shouldered the Owls’ offensive load.

UMass was out-rebounded 42-35. Both teams lived at the free throw line, combining to shoot 80 free throws in a whistle frenzy on Saturday.

Women’s basketball

Army 56, UMass 50 – The UMass women’s basketball team battled back-and-forth with the Black Knights all afternoon at Mullins Center, but UMass couldn’t find enough offense in a close 56-50 loss to Army on Saturday.

UMass shot just 25 percent from the field in an abysmal 14-for-55 effort. Allie Palmeri was a bright spot for the Minutewomen, pouring in a game-high 21 points and splashing a game-high four 3-pointers. Yahmani McKayle was the only other UMass player to record double figures, as the freshman guard had 10 points on 3-for-17 shooting in the loss.

Megan Olbrys added eight points, seven rebounds and three assists while Stefanie Kulesza was shut down by Army’s defense, scoring only four points on one field goal. Lilly Ferguson grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds coming off the bench for the Minutewomen, which dropped to 2-4.

Army’s Trinity Hardy lit up UMass for 20 points, eight boards and  four assists. Nobody else scored  over nine points for the Black Knights.