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Story Courtesy of UMass Athletic Communications<\/p>\n
CLEVELAND – Massachusetts men’s basketball (17-15, 7-11 MAC) outlasted No. 20 Miami (OH) (31-1, 16-0 MAC), 87-83, at Rocket Arena in the MAC Quarterfinals on Thursday. The Minutemen survived two double-digit deficits to knock off the last remaining undefeated team in Division I men’s basketball and advance to the semifinals.<\/p>\n
The Minutemen were led by Leonardo Bettiol with 25 points and eight rebounds on an efficient 10-of-15 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free throw line. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Marcus Banks Jr. added 18 points and five rebounds, including two triples. With his first make from behind the arc, Banks Jr. broke the program single-season three-pointers made record with 108. \u00a0<\/p>\n
In his first game back from injury, Daniel Hankins-Sanford netted 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Jayden Ndigue tacked on 16 points and eight boards of his own, including an and-one to tie the game with 4:45 to play. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Miami (OH) had a balanced offensive attack, with five scores in double-figures. Bryant Byers led the way with 17 points and five rebounds. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The Minutemen secured their first win over a nationally-ranked opponent since taking down No. 19 New Mexico on Nov. 22, 2013 by an 81-65 final. UMass had lost 11 straight against ranked foes since (which included two this season to Miami (OH)). \u00a0
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\nBreaking Down the Action \u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tDanny Carbuccia, Hankins-Sanford, Bettiol, Ndjigue and Banks Jr. started for the Minutemen.
\n\tNeither team led by more than four in an extremely tight first half.
\n\tIt was UMass who jumped to a quick 8-4 lead after a Hankins-Sanford jumper with 17:05 on the clock. He previously opened the scoring with a driving layup.
\n\tThe RedHawks responded with nine of the next 14 points to pull even at 13 after two Trey Perry free throws.
\n\tConsecutive layups from Carbuccia and Bettiol gave UMass its largest lead back at 17-13, but Miami used a mini 7-2 run to take a 20-19 advantage with 10:03 on the clock.
\n\tThe RedHawks’ lead reached as much as four at 27-23, but the Minutemen responded with a 9-2 run to take a 32-29 advantage after a Bettiol jumper with 3:37 until halftime.
\n\tThe final 2:30 saw four lead changes, with an Antwone Woolfolk buzzer beater giving Miami a 39-37 halftime lead.
\n\tThe RedHawks began the second half on a 13-5 run, as Peter Suder hit Miami’s second straight three, to make the score 52-42, with 14:37 on the clock.
\n\tThe Minutemen responded with a 10-2 run, capped off by a triple from Banks Jr., to cut the Miami lead to just four, 56-52, with 11:24 remaining in the game.
\n\tThe RedHawks lead ballooned back to 10 points following a slam and Trey Perry triple, to make the score 66-56 at 10:07. \u00a0
\n\tFollowing two Miami free throws at 7:38, Ndjigue, Banks Jr. and Bettiol combined to go on a 9-0 run to tie the game at 71 with 5:22 remaining in the game.
\n\tA Banks Jr. trey gave the Minutemen their first lead since the first half at 77-76, with 3:54 on the clock. \u00a0
\n\tSuder connected on a step-back jumper with 0:50 left to play in the game to knot the score at 81. \u00a0
\n\tHankins-Sankins responded with what proved to be the go-ahead basket with 29 seconds remaining.
\n\tFour free throws from Banks Jr. sealed the victory, with the Minutemen securing an 87-83 victory. \u00a0
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Numbers To Know<\/p>\n
4: Four Minutemen recorded double-digit points on the night: Bettiol (25), Banks Jr. (18), Ndjigue (16) and Hankins-Sanford (11).
\n109: The number of three-pointers in the career of Banks Jr., a new program record.
\n10: The number of made field goals for Bettiol, who finished 10-of-15.
\n202: Carbuccia is up to 202 career assists in his career. He became just the sixth different Minuteman player to eclipse 200 assists in a season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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