Jan. 18, 2005

AMHERST, Mass. - Sophomore Rashaun Freeman (Schenectady, N.Y.) of the men's basketball team and sophomore Evan Swisher (North Bennington, Vt.) of the men's swim team were named UMass/Dinn Brothers Co-Athletes of the Week following outstanding performances over the weekend. Freeman hit the game-winning lay-in with 0.4 seconds to play in overtime as UMass upset No. 21 George Washington, 76-74, while Swisher led the men's swim team to a first-place finish at the Rhode Island Invitational with a pair of individual victories and two relay wins.

Freeman averaged 16.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in the win over #21 George Washington on Saturday and a loss to Saint Joseph's last Wednesday. Shooting 46.4 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the free throw line for the week, he hit the game-winning lay-up with 0.4 second to play in overtime at George Washington which gave UMass its second win over a ranked opponent this season (UConn).

His 27 points and 15 rebounds against the Colonials were both season-highs and marked the 10th time in 14 games he has reached double-figures this season.

The win over GWU improves UMass to 6-0 in games decided by four points or less and 2-0 on the season in overtime games.

Swisher won the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke events and led UMass to wins in two relay events as the Minutemen won the Rhode Island Invitational held Jan. 14-15.

Swisher led the Minutemen with wins in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstrokes with times of 52.97 seconds and 1:52.87, respectively. The wins marked the third time this season he has won a 100-yard backstroke race and the fifth time he has won the 200-yard event.

Additionally, Swisher led the Minutemen relay squads to two wins. Swisher led off the 400-yard medley relay which clocked a 3:32.15 performance - the second-best time of the season in the event. He also led off the 200-yard medley relay team which won in 1:37.64.

The UMass Sports Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at Noon in Room 1009 of the Campus Center. Guest speakers for this week include men's basketball head coach Steve Lappas and women's basketball head coach Marnie Dacko.