(Photo courtesy of UML Athletics) “Quinton Mincey handles the ball”
UML Athletics
Fifth-year Quinton Mincey (Upper Marlboro, Md.) scored a game-high 27 points, as the UMass Lowell men’s basketball team (6-4) took down in-state rival Massachusetts (3-7), 96-83, in the annual Kennedy Cup matchup.
“It was a tough one for us,” said Head Coach Pat Duquette. “They played physical, they pressed the whole game. That’s a really tough style to play against so I am especially proud of my guys for sticking with it and playing through some adversity. Happy my team got a good road win.”
Mincey, who was one of three River Hawks to record double-digits, finished 8-10 (80%) from the field, including 4-5 from three. Behind him, freshman Martin Somerville (Bowie, Md.) totaled a career-high 22 points alongside five assists, while fifth-year Yuri Covington (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) chipped in with 19 points and five rebounds. As a team, UMass Lowell went 29-50 (58.0%) from the field and 30-34 (88.2%) from the free-throw line.
The two sides opened the game by trading baskets, and although Mincey drilled a three and fifth-year Max Brooks (Waldorf, Md.) threw down a dunk to give the team a slight, 5-4 edge, the Minutemen responded with a 9-2 stretch to take a 13-7 lead with 14:10 on the clock. The River Hawks, however, immediately caught fire, using a triple from Covington to ignite a 13-1 run, which included another deep ball from Mincey, to put UMass Lowell in front 20-14 with 11:38 remaining in the first.
After two baskets from the hosts made it a one-score game, the River Hawks retaliated, scoring 12 of the next 16 points, highlighted by senior Quincy Clark (Columbus, Ohio) sinking an impressive, under-the-basket layup to take a 32-22 lead with 5:38 remaining in the first. Over the next two minutes, both teams went shot-for-shot to keep it a double-digit difference, but the Minutemen ended the half with a 10-2 stretch to cut the lead to 40-38 heading into the locker room.
Coming out of the break, Massachusetts put together a 10-4 run to jump in front 48-44, but a trey from Somerville only seconds later made it a one-point game. The visitors found their footing, using buckets from Mincey and senior Xzavier Lino (Phoenix, Ariz.) to regain the lead before an and-1 from Somerville put his squad up 54-49 with 15:10 on the clock. Over the next four minutes, the hosts looked to jump back in front, making it as close as a two-point game before Covington drilled another shot from deep to give his team a 65-60 advantage midway through the period.
The back-and-forth battle continued into the final minutes, and with the difference at four points with just over five minutes to play, Mincey sank a triple to put his team on top 79-72. Despite a quick layup by the opposition, Mincey responded from deep again, and Covington added a fast break layup to extend the difference to double-digits. Looking to clinch the road win, the River Hawks continued to sink their shots, outscoring Massachusetts 12-9 in the final four minutes, including four more from Mincey, sealing the 96-83 victory.
Next up, the River Hawks return home for the first time this month when they host the LIU Sharks on Wednesday, December 11. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Costello Athletic Center.
