NEW LONDON, Conn. – Led by a huge 29 points and seven rebounds from senior Sam Freeman (Boston, Mass.) men's basketball opened their 2016-17 season with a non-conference win as they defeated Mitchell College by the final of 85-72 Tuesday evening.

THE BASICS

UMass Boston 85, Mitchell College 72

UMass Boston (1-0)
Mitchell College (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED

After heading into the halftime break trailing by one, the Beacons exchanged baskets with Mitchell throughout the opening 10 minutes of the second half.  UMB took control of the contest at the 8:11 mark when Michael Sanders sparked a 7-0 run to make it 62-55 with 7:25 left to play.

The Beacons would maintain a two-possession lead for the next two minutes, until Sanders drained a 3-pointer to make it a nine-point affair with 4:15 left in the contest.  The Beacons then pushed their lead to double-figures over the final 2:14 with Freeman leading the charge.  Alex Sanchez (Salem, Mass.) played a key part in the late run, as the Beacons collected the hard fought victory.

Freeman's day consisted of a 14-for-19 showing from the floor, while on the glass the Beacons big-man grabbed five of his seven boards on the defensive glass.  Sanchez also had an impressive debut as he dropped in 16 points, while also handing out nine assists.  Dan Powers (Westwood, Mass.) and Michael Sanders (Bronx, N.Y.) each finished with 12 points, with Powers also pulling down a game-high eight rebounds.

From the field the Beacons shot 52.4% (33-63), and were even in rebounds with Mitchell at 37 boards each. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Tuesday's match-up marked the first-ever meeting between the Beacons and Mitchell
• UMass Boston has now won back-to-back season openers under second year head coach Jason Harris. 
• Freeman's 29 points marked a career-high for the senior forward
• The Beacons featured two newcomers in the starting line-up and two off the bench in their season opener
• UMass Boston outscored Mitchell 53-39 in the final 20 minutes of play

WHO'S NEXT

The Beacons will make their home debut next Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Wheelock College.