Massachusetts 77, Providence 75: Terrell Vinson’s tip-in as time expired powered the Minutemen to their second dramatic victory in as many games in the first round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament.
Jesse Morgan scored a team-high 18 points, Chaz Williams chipped in 17 and Vinson added 14 for Massachusetts (2-0), which will meet No. 6 North Carolina State in Friday's semifinals after winning its season opener against Harvard at the buzzer on a 3-pointer from Sampson Carter.
After a 3-pointer from Morgan tied the game at 75 with 1:26 remaining, Williams’ 15-foot jumper hit off the back iron with just over a second remaining, giving Vinson enough time to collect the rebound in mid-air and score off the glass.
Without the services of injured point guard Vincent Council, the Friars appeared to be rattled initially by Massachusetts’ full-court pressure. Providence settled in as the half wore on, trimming an 11-point lead to 41-35 at the break with 10 offensive rebounds while the Minutemen committed 10 turnovers.
Bryce Cotton had 23 points for the Friars (2-1).
GAME NOTEBOOK: In the first matchup between the schools since 2000, Massachusetts improved to 6-22 all-time against Providence. … Council’s injury in the season opener left the Friars with only six academically eligible scholarship players available for this entire event. … Cotton, Kadeem Batts and LaDontae Henton have accounted for 177 of the Friars’ 220 points this season.
Providence | Massachusetts | |
Bryce Cotton 23 | Scoring | Jesse Morgan 18 |
Bryce Cotton 5 | Assists | Chaz Williams 6 |
LaDontae Henton 11 | Rebounds | Raphiael Putney 7 |
Bryce Cotton 8 | Free Throws Made | Terrell Vinson 4 |
LaDontae Henton 2 | Steals | Jesse Morgan 2 |
Kadeem Batts 1 | Blocks | Cady Lalanne 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Providence | 75 | 48.1 | 5-19 | 18-24 | 9 | 31 | 1 | 3 | 13 |
Massachusetts | 77 | 50.8 | 6-19 | 9-17 | 10 | 34 | 2 | 7 | 17 |