The UMass Boston Men’s Basketball team had already accomplished a season to be envied when they stepped out onto the court last Friday faced SUNY Cortland in the first round of the NCAA playoffs at Corey Gym in Cortland, New York. With eighteen wins their season was the second highest total in school history. Within this same season the team captured their first ever Little East Conference propelling them into a viable opponent against the best teams in the league.
On Friday the Beacons competed for the first time in 23 years in the NCAA tournament. Although the final result set UMB back with an 18-11 overall season with the Cortland Red Dragons advancing to the second level, the men did not give in without fighting to the very end. The first half ended in a 24-24 tie with both teams vying for the crucial win. The entire first half both teams were extremely close with Umass up 6 from the start then SUNY taking a 7-6 lead after strengthening up their defense.
As soon as the second half commenced, ten points were immediately scored by SUNY Cortland. It took the conversion of the second of two free throws by sophomore guard Amigo Pantiagua to allow UMB its first point of the second half, making the score 34-25 with 15:47 to go. At 12:01 on the clock the Red Dragons were maintaining a 42-33 lead. In addition to this lead, eight more points were scored in succession, bolstered by 3-pointers from both Mark Schaller and Dave Maggiacomo. With only 9:44 left the Red Dragons commanded a 50-33 lead; the Beacons attempted to cut the deficit and succeeded in shortening it to 51-38. SUNY crushed the comeback by taking the largest lead in the game at 56-38 with 7:06 remaining.
Tony Barros, a junior swingman, added to a 9 point run for UMB with a 3 pointer. This score of 59-50 was the closest the game became. Although the buzzer signaled the end of the first round and the Beacon’s last game of the season, their accomplishments are nothing short of amazing. Pantiagua led the UMB in points in this game with 17 points, 9 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block; James L. Hall finishes his college career with 16 points. As sophomore forward Mark Doran stated, “We knew we would be able to do something special this year.” The team has definitely exceeded expectations.