Score: UAlbany 62, UMass 83
 
Location: Mullins Center | Amherst, Mass.
 
Records: UAlbany (0-2, 0-0 America East), UMass (1-1, 0-0 MAC)
 
Short Story: The University at Albany men's basketball team dropped its road game at UMass, 83-62.
 
Coach Dwayne Killings: "We've played two really physical teams to start the season, and I think our biggest issue right now is discipline on the defensive. We're trying to stop guys with our hands instead of our bodies, and that's getting us in trouble. We talk about grit, focus, and discipline... we had it in stretches, but not consistently enough. I thought we outplayed them for most of the first half, but their pressure and physicality eventually wore us down. We've got to improve our half-court defense and keep learning how to win together."

Key Stats:

• Jaden Kempson scored 17 points on 5-for-11 (45.5%) and 6-for-9 at the line (66.7%), adding five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
• Zacharie Matulu posted 16 points on 5-for-10 (50.0%), 2-for-6 from three (33.3%), and 4-for-5 at the line (80.0%), with four rebounds, three steals, and one block.
• Amir Lindsey finished with seven points and a team-high seven assists.
• Okechukwu Okeke added seven points on 3-for-4 (75.0%) with a block.
• Team shooting closed 20-for-53 FG (37.7%), 6-for-26 3PT (23.1%), 16-for-23 FT (69.6%).

How it Happened:

• UAlbany opened in transition as Jaden Kempson jumped a passing lane and fed Okechukwu Okeke for a dunk, then Amir Lindsey hit a three for a 7-4 start.
• Both teams traded scores before Nas Muhammad connected from deep at 9:31 to make it 21-17, the Great Danes' largest lead.
• UMass answered with second-chance points and a corner three to move in front.
  Tarique Foster stopped the run with a three, and Kempson drove for a layup with three seconds left to trim it to 38-32 at halftime.
• Out of the break, Zach Matulu scored through contact at the rim and later stepped into a right wing three to keep it within 52-40 as the teams traded baskets.
• UAlbany produced its best burst with a 6-0 run fueled by free throws and a Matulu cut for a layup to get within 59-48.
• Kempson followed with a catch-and-shoot three at 8:52 to make it 66-52 and keep the margin within reach.
• UMass responded with perimeter makes and trips to the line to push the lead to the mid-teens.
• The Minutemen extended late possessions with offensive rebounds and closed at the stripe to reach the 83-62 final.

 UP NEXT: UAlbany's men's basketball is back at the Broadview Center for their home opener on November 11 to play SUNY Delhi. Tipoff is set for 6:30 pm.
 
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