Nov. 4, 2006

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AMHERST, Mass. - The second year of the Travis Ford era got off to a sensational start as the Minutemen topped Bridgeport, 88-61 in UMass' only exhibition game prior to the start of the regular-season next Saturday, Nov. 11 vs. Dartmouth at 5 p.m. The blend of newcomers and returning seniors were on display Saturday night at the Mullins Center. In his debut wearing a UMass jersey, junior Gary Forbes had a game-high 21 points. Seniors Rashaun Freeman and James Life tallied 19 and 15, respectively. Freshman point guard Tiki Mayben handed out a game-high nine assists.

UMass was able to swat the Purple Knights all night long posting 14 blocked shots led by the A-10 reigning defensive player of the year Stephane Lasme, who had six. The Minutemen also converted 24 Bridgeport turnovers into 21 points on the evening.

After a mini flurry by Bridgeport, UMass continued to pour it on building its lead to 28 points at 73-45 on a 3-point play by Forbes with 7:26 left in the game.

The Minutemen broke open the game early in the second half by virtue of a 19-4 run over the first eight minutes of the half. Freeman had six of the points in the run as UMass led 63-41.

UMass led 44-37 at halftime on the strength of 10 points from Forbes and Freeman. The Minutemen shot a sparkling 56.7 percent in the first half. Life chipped on with nine points all on 3-pointers.

After Bridgeport scored four of the game's first six points, UMass went on a 10-1 run over six minutes to lead 14-5 on a Luke Bonner tip-in with 11:04 left in the first half.

Notes: Stephane Lasme opened the game with a dunk just 14 seconds into the game ... Tiki Mayben dunks home his first points at 16:20 left in the first half ... Gary Forbes nailed 3-pointer for his first UMass points with 14:31 left in first ... Luke Bonner put back in an offensive rebound for his first UMass points with 11:04 left in the first half ... Ricky Harris had a layup with just 38 seconds left in the first half for his first UMass points.