Jan 28, 2004

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - Rashaun Freeman and Art Bowers each scored 18 points as Massachusetts fended off a late comeback to beat Fordham 76-70 on Wednesday night.

Fordham, which trailed 41-25 at halftime, rallied to within two at 70-68 with 1:21 to play.

But Freeman then hit a leaner and added a free throw 18 seconds later as the Minutemen regained control. Three more UMass free throws widened the gap to 76-68.

Anthony Anderson scored 14 points and Jeff Viggiano added 11 for UMass (7-11, 2-5 Atlantic 10), which has won two straight after dropping seven in a row.

Michael Haynes scored 28 points and pulled down 12 rebounds for Fordham (4-13, 1-5).

The Rams went on an 11-5 run at the start of the second half and added a 7-0 spurt to cut the UMass lead to four, 49-45, with 12 minutes to play.

Fordham's led 8-5 in the first half before UMass went on an 8-0 run, as Bowers hit a pair of 3-pointers. A three-pointer by Anderson and a four-point play by Viggiano gave the Minutemen a 31-16 lead.

UMass men's basketball returns to action this Saturday, January 31st, as it travels to Rhode Island for a 12:00 p.m. contest.