UMass Wins Three-Point Slugfest Over CMU
Marcus Banks Jr. set a UMass record for three-pointers & Danny Carbuccia set a school record for assists.
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass was victorious once again in yet another close contest. The Minutemen beat Central Michigan 95-89 here at the Mullins Center on Tuesday night to improve to 15-9 on the season and 6-6 in MAC play.
The Minutemen entered the contest attempting to hang onto a MAC playoff spot after a win on Saturday against Eastern Michigan. The Chippewas had a slow start to conference play, but their two consecutive wins had them just a couple wins away from tournament eligibility.
UMass currently sits in sixth place in the MAC. The top 8 qualify for the conference tournament.
Marcus Banks Jr. powered UMass to victory with a season-high 37 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including 10 three-pointers, a program record.
Believe it or not, his downtown efforts were second to Central Michigan’s Logan McIntire who drilled 12 to set a school record.
UMass point guard Danny Carbuccia set his own school record with 17 assists, the most by a Division-I freshman point guard since 2022.
Central Michigan opened the second half strong with multiple McIntire threes, but the Minutemen stayed resilient in the final minutes. With 1:27 remaining, UMass led by one when Leo Bettiol was fouled and made both free throws to extend the lead to three.
On the ensuing possession, Chippewa guard Tamario Adley drove into the paint but was met by defenders K’Jei Parker and Bettiol. Adley’s pass toward the wing resulted in a backcourt violation.
With UMass up by three, Parker took a triple as time wound down. He missed, but Jayden Ndjigue secured an offensive rebound to help seal the victory.
The Minutemen’s effort to withstand Central Michigan’s runs began at tip-off.
McIntire opened the game with a three, answered quickly by Bettiol, who scored on a layup and drew a foul for an and-one conversion. After a bucket from Phat Brooks, Banks Jr. hit two quick threes to give UMass its first lead at 9-8.
Central Michigan responded as McIntire hit consecutive threes and Nathan Claerbaut finished around the rim to tie the game at 18.
Daniel Hankins-Sanford and Carbuccia found lanes to the basket for four straight points to retake the lead, but three-point baskets from Jalen Kampen and Jaxson Whitaker kept Central Michigan close.
With about seven minutes remaining in the half, Bettiol put together a 4-0 run, but Nick Mullen countered for the Chippewas. McIntire then closed the half on a personal run, drilling three more threes and adding a layup to give Central Michigan a 47-40 lead at intermission.
McIntire’s seven made threes on 10 attempts was the story of the first half. Mullen also posted a +16 plus/minus in the first half.
Bettiol led UMass into intermission with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while Banks Jr. added 11 points, including three triples.
Those two carried the Minutemen in the second half, helping secure UMass’ 15th win of the season.
UMass returns to action Saturday at Coastal Carolina in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.
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