AMHERST, Mass. –– Massachusetts (1-0) put an exclamation on their season opener, securing a dominant 92-71 victory over UAlbany (0-1) on Tuesday evening at the Mullins Center.
Led by 22 points from Josh Cohen, the Minutemen controlled the action for much of the game; holding the Great Danes to a lead for the entirety of play. UMass shot an efficient 43% from the field and 45% from three-point range.
In his Minutemen debut, Cohen guided the way on both sides of the ball. The NEC 2022-23 Co-Player of The Year posted 22 points on 9-of-15 from the field to go along with eight rebounds and three steals in just 19 minutes on the floor.
Keyed by a 12-0 run to start the first half of play, Massachusetts never trailed in the game, scoring 46 points in the first half including eight baskets from beyond the arc. Daniel Hankins-Sanford led all scorers in the first half with 10 points, setting a new career-high in his first 20 minutes as a Minuteman.
Massachusetts led by as many as 30 points in the second half, as Cohen sparked a 10-0 run with 14:45 remaining. Diggins made his mark on the second half, going 3-for-4 from the field, scoring eight points.
Defensively, the Minutemen controlled play from start to finish, swiping 12 steals and holding a 21-0 advantage in points off of turnovers. Massachusetts resisted the Great Dane’s attempts to speed up play, turning the ball over just five times.
Breaking Down The Action
- Josh Cohen opened scoring for Massachusetts, scoring his first point as a Minuteman.
- UMass took the lead early, going on a 12-0 run to start the game. The stretch was highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Rahsool Diggins and Jayden Ndjigue.
- UAlbany answered back with an 9-0 run of their own to make a 14-11 score with 13:05 remaining in the first half.
- The Minutemen stormed back, subsequently adding a 13-2 run sparked by a Marqui Worthy layup at 11:44.
- Cohen notched his first career triple at 8:41, making the score 30-16.
- Diggins posted his second three-pointer of the evening to further UMass’ 18-2 run. The points granted the Minutemen an 18-point lead with seven minutes remaining in the half.
- Daniel Hankins-Sanford came out hot off the bench, making four of his first six field goals, and perfect 2-2 from the three-point line. These 10 points marked a career-high for the sophomore transfer.
- Massachusetts led by a then game-high 20 points entering the second half.
- Throughout the first 20 minutes of play, UMass posted an impressive 67% from the line, recording a blistering 8-13 in three-pointers.
- Cohen put the Minutemen on the board first once again in the second half, lending a driving layup.
- The senior transfer bolstered UMass to a 23-point advantage at the 17:25 mark, posting seven quick points in the second half alone.
- Cohen continued his offensive prowess, catalyzing an 8-0 UMass run elapsed across 2:47. The forward added another six points to his statline– notably with a three-pointer at 12:26.
- Matt Cross made his contribution to the scoresheet, adding his second layup and fourth point of the contest at 10:01.
- Keon Thompson mounted a dynamic cross-court play, finding Rahsool Diggins at the basket for the dunk; allowing UMass a 79-49 lead with 7:47 remaining in the game.
- Robert Davis Jr. lit the lamp, adding a triple of his own off the assist of Tarique Foster at 3:47. The completion brought the Minutemen to a defining 23-point advantage.
- Foster closed out scoring for UMass, adding a free throw off the Great Danes’ 18th turnover as the clock read 2:10.
New Kids On The Block
- Cohen led the way among the nine newcomers, scoring 22 points in just 19 minutes on the court. The St. Francis transfer was perfect from the three-point line, while adding a team-high rebounds (8) and steals (3).
- Hawkins-Sanford followed behind, posting a career-high in points (14). The University of South Carolina transplant posted a complete game, adding three assists, three rebounds, and three blocks.
- Six of the seven freshman made their debut in maroon and white on Tuesday.
- Curry led the freshman with seven points, picking up two rebounds.
- The remaining rookies, (Davis Jr., Worthy, Foster, and Ndjigue) combined for 14 points.
Numbers To Know
- 1: The Minutemen secured their first win of the year in the 2023-24 season opener.
- 2: Cohen’s made three-pointers on the night, the first two of his career.
- 4: Number of Minutemen to reach double-figures on the night (Diggins, Cohen, Hankins-Sanford, Thompson)
- 8: Newcomers made their Minutemen debut in the 2023-24 home opener; including two transfers and seven freshmen.
- 12: Massachusetts recorded a game-high 12 steals on the night.
- 18: The Minutemen refused to back down, notching 18 points off second chance opportunities.
- 21: UMass’ defensive pressure came up big for the Minutemen, scoring 21 points from UAlbany turnovers.
- 32: The bench made their presence known, scoring 32 points across the game.
Year Two Under Coach Martin
- Massachusetts Head Coach, Frank Martin improves his record with the Minutemen to 16-16.
- Martin now holds a 304-217 collegiate career mark.
Series History
- UMass now leads the all-time series versus UAlbany, 3-2 .
Up Next
- The Minutemen look ahead to their next home matchup against Quinnipiac on Monday, Nov. 13 at 7pm. The game will be broadcasted on NESN.
(Courtesy of UMass Athletics)
