DANBURY, CT (December 1st, 2024) This Sunday afternoon saw the UMass Boston Beacons' with a double header victory over the Western Connecticut Wolves in fantastic fashion. Cameron Perkins (Danbury, Conn.) dropped 27 points in his return home for the holidays, he couldn't miss from the free throw stripe (8-8) or beyond the 3-pt arch (3-3).
The Basics
The Final Score: UMB 83 - 82 WSTCT
UMass Boston: 4-1 (1-0)
West Conn: 4-4 (0-1)
How It Happened
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Feldman Arena hosted a thriller in the second game of a double header this afternoon. The Beacon's were off to an emphatic start on both the offensive and defensive sides of the game, jumping out to a 7-2 lead to open scoring off a Hector Perez (Easton, Mass.) three-pointer. Sophomore Xavier McKenzie (Lowell, Mass.) extended the lead to the largest of the half with a fastbreak layup with two minutes remaining, but the Wolves closed out the half with composure, knocking down two free throws to cut the lead to just two at the end of the first half. Perkins led all scorers at the break with 13 points and five rebounds. Graduate guard Bobby Joy contributed ten points on just four shots including 2-3 from beyond the arc. The Beacs led 39-37 at the half.
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The Beacons fought hard to preserve the lead, and their efforts were working up until the final moments. With four minutes remaining in the game, the Beacons pioneered their largest lead of the game at nine points off a pair of free throws from Perkins. The Wolves connected on a three-pointer off an offensive rebound to level the scoring just two minutes later.
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With ten seconds remaining and the score in favor of the opposition by 2 points, the Beacons advanced the ball to enemy territory and called their final timeout. Perkins' number was called, and he rose to the occasion, answering with a game-winning three point field goal from the left corner to end WestConn's three game win-streak.
By the Numbers:
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Perkins led all scorers with 27 including the game-winner in his return to his hometown of Danbury, Connecticut, on 8-13 FG, 3-3 3PT, and 8-8 FT shooting figures.
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On the defensive end, Zayas contributed a season-high five steals, and first-year Raphel Laurent (Peabody, Mass.) contributed three blocks.
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The Beacons scored 22 points in the paint, 33 from beyond the arc, 10 fastbreak points, and 23 bench points, to outlast the Wolves on their home court in the Little East Conference season opener.
Who's Next?
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Tune in for another Beacons' double header on Wednesday night, December 4th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Clark Athletic Center. UMass Boston will host the Anchormen of Rhode Island College (RIC) in the 2024-25 LEC home-opener.
--FOR THE TIMES--
