SCORE: UMass Minutemen 101, Niagara 76
RECORDS: UMass (2-1), Niagara (1-2)
LOCATION: Mullins Center – University of Massachusetts
Barclays Center Classic Opening Round
 
AMHERST, Mass. – Matt Scott netted a season-high 26 points in Niagara's 101-76 defeat to the UMass Minutemen on Sunday afternoon.
 
Game Summary
An efficient shooting performance propelled the Minutemen to their second win of the season in the first meeting between the programs since the 1998-99 season. UMass shot 59 percent from the field and connected on 15 of 26 3-pointers, one shy of tying a program record.
 
Scott and Chris Barton got Niagara off to a 4-0 start, before UMass answered with a 16-2 run that included seven straight points; UMass made 4 of 5 3-pointers during the run. The Purple Eagles used an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 21-16 with 8:54 left in the half. However, the half of scoring runs swung back in favor for the Minutemen as they went on an 11-2 run over the next three minutes. UMass, which entered the game with only six made 3-pointers in two games, connected on nine 3-pointers in the first half en route to a 46-28 lead at the break.
 
A Marvin Prochet dunk two minutes into the second half reduced the deficit to 16 points, but five straight points by the Minutemen pushed their lead to over 20 points; UMass maintained a plus 20-point lead for the rest of the game.
 
Eagle's Eye On…

• Matt Scott led the Purple Eagles with a season-high 26 points and shot a career-high 76.9 percent (10-for-13) from the field.
• Kahlil Dukes scored 16 points, including going perfect (6-for-6) at the free-throw line for the second straight game. He shared game-high honors in assists with a season-high eight.
• Chris Barton added 11 points.  

 
Inside The Numbers

• Niagara's consecutive free throws made streak was snapped at 20.
• NU held a 21-2 advantage in fast break points.

 
Up Next

• NU wraps up its four-game road trip at Brigham Young University on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 9 p.m. ET.
• Listen to the game on the Niagara Sports Network via WGR 550 AM and www.PurpleEagles.com/Watch.  Video coverage will be on BYUtv.

 
 
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