BOSTON, Mass. – After Michael Boyd (Malden, Mass.) scored the game-tying lay-up as time expired in regulation, men's basketball would outscore Western Connecticut State University 12-4 in OT to earn an 83-75 Little East conference victory over the Colonials Tuesday evening at Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium.

THE BASICS

UMass Boston 83, Western Connecticut State University 75 (OT)

UMass Boston (8-4, 3-1 Little East Conference)
Western Connecticut State (9-4, 3-1 Little East Conference)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Following his game-tying lay-up, the junior guard would add four more points in the overtime, all from the free throw line.  Charlie Mitchell (Boston, Mass.) led all scorers in the extra frame as the junior went 2-for-2, which included the only made 3-pointer of OT. 

The Beacons would also lead on the glass with a 9-4 advantage, with Malik Lorquet (Sharon, Mass.) and Mitchell each grabbing three boards. 

Defensive UMB held Western Connecticut to just one made field goal as the Colonials shot 9.1% from the field.  They would only score a pair of free throws, as they were handed their first conference loss of the season.

Prior to Boyd's tying lay-up, Mariano Rodriguez (Burlington, Mass.) nailed a 3-pointer with 23 seconds left in the second to tie the game at 69-69.  Western Connecticut's Shea Tracy would then give his team a 71-69 lead with seven seconds remaining, but would fail to convert the and-1.  Boyd would then take the ball the length of the court and tie the game at 71-71 on an uncontested lay-up.

On the day, Boyd finished with 10 points, and a career-high 13 assists.  Dasan Cinelli (Boston, Mass.)led all players with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, which included five 3-pointers.  The Mitchell brothers combined for 23 points respectively and also grabbed 15 rebounds, while picking-up six steals. 

Lorquet was dominant defensively with his five blocked shots, while also grabbing 10 boards to go along with seven points. 

Off the bench Rodriguez and Tommy Burris (Dalton, Mass.) gave the Beacons some crucial minutes as they each recorded six points.

The first half was dominated by the Beacons as they outscored the Colonials 42-29.  UMB shot 46.9% from the field and 50% from 3-point range to take the comfortable lead into the halftime break.  In the second half, WCSU closed the gap as they outscored the Beacons 49-29, behind a 12-point performance from Jaheim Young.

BY THE NUMBERS

• The Beacons held a 39-29 advantage on the glass
• UMB shot 47.% (28-59) from the field, and 41.4% (12-29) from 3-point range
• In total the Beacons tallied 20 assists, the most since the Beacons recorded 21 assists in the 86-71 over Pine Manor College on December 5, 2017
• All-time the Beacons are now 17-42 against WCSU and earned the first win over the Colonials at home since February 17, 2018
• Tuesday's game marked the first time that UMB and WCSU went to overtime since January 18, 2014

WHO'S NEXT

The Beacons will travel to UMass Dartmouth on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. conference game.