by Kevin McCaskill Jr.
11/23/23 * 2:57 PM
(AMHERST, MA) - On the day before Thanksgiving, Matt Cross, Josh Cohen and the Minutemen feasted on the Blue Devils from Central Connecticut State (CCSU). The duo of Cross & Cohen combined for 57 points (21/24 FG) in an 89-60 UMass victory.
CCSU was competitive for the first 10 minutes of the first half. They were making shots and keeping pace with the output of Cross & Cohen.
Over the last half of the first half, the Minutemen tightened up on defense and stifled the Blue Devils. There were no easy shots for CCSU on Wednesday afternoon.
The Minutemen comfortably led at halftime 39-27.
In the second half, Cross dominated the game. He put together a complete performance on Wednesday, from start to finish. Cross registered 31 points (11/13 FG), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in the victory.
Cohen added 26 points (10/11 FG), 7 rebounds, 2 assists.
The Minutemen scored 30 points off 15 turnovers by CCSU.
UMass Freshman Center Mathok Majok made his 1st appearance of the season. He played 6 minutes and got a put-back dunk that got the crowd and the Minutemen bench on their feet.
The win improves UMass’ record to 3-1. CCSU falls to 1-4.
After the game, Cross and Rahsool Diggins spoke to the media, followed by HC Frank Martin.
Diggins and Cross said going home will help them “refresh” and prepare for their next game against South Florida.
Martin said he was “much happier with the defense today”. “Our rotations on the backside [defending 3-pt shots] were much better. We still make some mistakes on lack of communication…but our closeouts were better”.
Martin on Daniel Hankins-Sanford: “When he gets back off this break, he has to get himself to a different speed…[He] played 12 minutes and grabbed 1 rebound…He’s too strong, too athletic to not rebound the ball…He’s gonna be good for us….”.
The Minutemen are off until Saturday 12/2. They host South Florida at The Mullins Center. The game tips off @ 1 PM on ESPN+.
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