Nov 24, 2001

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - Massachusetts, which led by 19 at halftime, withstood a charge by Marist at the beginning of the second half Saturday night to hold on for a 66-59 victory.

Nick Eppehimer connected on his first three pointers of the second half to cut a 36-17 lead to 10 points, as the Red Foxes began a second-half rally that fell just short. Eppehimer scored all 14 of his points durin gthe Red Foxes second half run. Marist cut the lead to three points on several occasions, but could get no closer, as the Minutemen connected on five of their last six free throws to earn the victory.

Kitwana Rhymer led UMass with 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench before fouling out in the final minute. Shannon Crooks added 14 as the Minutemen improved to 2-0 for the first time since the 1995-96 Final Four season.

Rick Smith had 12 points for the Red Foxes (3-1), while David Bennett added 10 points off of the behcn.

UMass led 36-17 at halftime, but Marist opened the second half with a 9-0 run and stayed close the rest of the way. The Red Foxes got within 48-45 with 8:08 left, but the Minutemen scored the next seven points. The Red Foxes outscored UMASS 42-30 in the second half of play, connecting on six three pointers in the half.

The Red Foxes continue their three game road trip when they travel to Lafayette on Thursday, November 29th. Game time is set for 8:00 pm.