WASHINGTON, D.C. – The University of Massachusetts men’s basketball team (18-10, 9-7 Atlantic 10) defeated George Washington (14-14, 3-14 A-10) 69-57 in the capital on Tuesday night.
The Minutemen were led by veterans Matt Cross and Rahsool Diggins, who combined for 30 points in the win. Cross led the team in points and rebounds, finishing with 17 and seven while shooting 66% (8-for-12).
Diggins led the backcourt as the Philadelphia native knocked down a team-high three shots from three-pointer range and was 5-for-9 from the field.
Massachusetts dominated the game defensively, holding George Washington to just 21.4 percent shooting from three-point range while owning a 34-28 advantage on the glass. Keon Thompson recorded a game-high three steals while serving as the primary defender on George Washington’s James Bishop, who the Minutemen held to four points and an 0-for-6 performance from beyond the arc.
The Revolutionaries were led by Darren Buchanan Jr., who scored 21 points while pulling down seven rebounds.
Breaking Down The Action
- Matt Cross opened the game’s scoring, going coast to coast for a layup at 19:10.
- Keon Thompson put UMass up 4-2 with a jumper from the top of the key.
- Thompson recorded his second basket after recording a steal and extending the Minuteman lead to six.
- After a GW three, Jayden Ndjigue responded with a three-pointer of his own at 14:19.
- Daniel Hankins-Sanford threw an emphatic dunk after coming off the bench to put UMass up 13-5.
- An 8-2 UMass run capped by a Hankins-Sanford three put the Minutemen up by double digits and forced a Revolutionaries timeout.
- Continuing to be dominant on the offensive glass, Robert Davis Jr. knocked down a triple after the possession was extended thanks to a pair of offensive rebounds.
- A Josh Cohen layup at 6:41 put UMass up 30-16.
- Coming out of a media timeout, Cohen found Cross in the far corner for his first three of the game to put UMass up by 18.
- Nndigue put the Minutemen up 20 after a steal and a transition slam with four minutes remaining in the half.
- Coming out of halftime, Cohen caught fire, scoring six of the first eight points for UMass to put the Minutemen back up by 20 going to the first media timeout.
- Diggins knocked down his third three of the game to put UMass up 55-30 at 14:07.
- Late in the shot clock, Cross tipped one in to beat the buzzer and regain the 20-point UMass lead at 5:53.
- UMass would coast to a 69-57 victory over the Revolutionaries.
New Kids On The Block
- Josh Cohen led the newcomers, finishing the contest with 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting. The graduate student also shared the rock, dishing out three assists.
- Ndjigue added 8 points and six rebounds to accompany a pair of blocks in 25 minutes.
- Davis Jr. added a spark off the bench as the freshman hit a pair of threes with a one-handed slam to give him eight points.
Numbers To Know
- 0: UMass did not trail for one second in the game.
- 214: The Minutemen held GW to shooting just 21.4% (5-28) from deep. That is the second-lowest three-point shooting percentage of a UMass opponent this season and the lowest in A-10 play.
- .517: UMass finished the contest, shooting 30-58 (.517) from the field. It is the second-highest shooting percentage against an Atlantic 10 opponent for the Minutemen.
- 3: Keon Thompson tied a career-high in steals with three.
- 21: After outrebounding the Revolutionaries 34-28, the Minutemen have won the rebounding battle a staggering 21 times this season.
- 38: UMass again dominated down low, outscoring George Washington 38-22 in the paint.
- 57: points are the third lowest points allowed by UMass this season.
Year Two Under Coach Martin
- Massachusetts Head Coach Frank Martin holds a 33-26 record leading the Minutemen.
- Martin now sits with a 321-227 collegiate career record.
Series History
- The series now stands at 46-31 in favor of the Revolutionaries, with The Minutemen claiming the 77th matchup between the two programs.
Up Next
- The Minutemen continue their final regular season road trip, squaring off with Davidson on Saturday, March 2, at 2:30 p.m. in North Carolina. The broadcast can be found on USA Network with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassMBB on X (Twitter).
