Dec. 23, 2005

Box Score

Amherst, Mass. - Schenectady High alum Rashaun Freeman scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as UMass held off a stubborn Siena team 78-69 in Amherst Friday. Kojo Mensah scored 23 points to lead Siena. Antoine Jordan had 18.

"I couldn't be happier with the effort our kids gave," head coach Fran McCaffery said following the loss. "We were right there, and had the ball bounced our way at the end, things could have been different. To their credit, they made the plays when they needed to."

Siena trailed by as many as 15 in the second half and was down 69-58 with 6:12 remaining before using an 11-2 run to close the gap to 71-69 with 1:33 left on a Mensah free throw.

Freshman Chris Lowe delivered the key shot for UMass, answering with a tough runner with just over one minute remaining. James Life picked up a key steal on Siena's next possession, deflecting the ball to Life who made two free throws to put the Minutemen up five.

Siena failed to close the gap any tighter down the stretch, missing two 3-pointers and a short jumper on their final three possessions.

The Saints had worked their way back in the game with an active press that forced 13 second half turnovers.

Jordan scored 14 of his 18 points after the break to lead the charge for Siena.

All five starters were involved for the Saints. Tay Fisher scored 13 points, David Ryan played all 40 minutes and Kenny Hasbrouck had six steals.

Jeff Viggiano and James Life scored 12 points a piece for UMass and Lowe added 10 off the bench to join Freeman in double figures.

The Minutemen made five of their first 11 3-point shots and built an early nine point lead that held up for the first half. The Saints were whistled for 11 first half fouls and had to play the majority of the half without Hasbrouck who picked up two quick infractions. After Siena closed the gap to four, UMass scored nine of the final 12 points in the half to take a 78-69 lead to the lockerroom.

UMass dominated the boards, out-rebounding Siena 42-20. Freeman made 9-of-11 free throws and the Minutemen shot 80% (20-25) from the line. UMass had 11 blocked shots, while the Saints collected 10 steals.

Siena will break briefly for the Christmas holiday before retuning to action against Youngstown State in the second half of a men's/women's doubleheader at Pepsi Arena on December 28.