Field Level Media
12 Mar 2026, 23:10 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Leonardo Bettiol scored 25 points as UMass rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final eight minutes to stun previously unbeaten No. 20 Miami (Ohio), 87-83, on Thursday in a Mid-American Conference quarterfinal in Cleveland, Ohio.
Marcus Banks Jr. had 18 points and Jayden Ndjigue added 16 as the eighth-seeded Minutemen (17-15) advanced to the MAC semifinals in their first year in the conference.
Brant Byers had 17 points and Eian Elmer added 16 for top-seeded Miami (31-1), which must wait to see if it receives an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament when berths are awarded Sunday night.
UMass won the game by dominating in the paint, outscoring the RedHawks, 54-30, in the paint and 23-8 in second-chance points. The Minutemen also out rebounded the RedHawks, 41-24.
When it appeared that Miami was ready to put away the Minutemen by building an 11-point lead at 69-58, UMass answered with a 13-2 spurt. The Minutemen drew even on Ndjigue's jumper with 4:47 remaining.
The remainder of the game was back-and-forth. Luka Damjanac grabbed an offensive rebound and put home a jumper with 2:38 left to give UMass an 81-79 lead.
The first half featured a wild finish. It appeared the two teams would go to halftime tied when Peter Suder missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. But just before the buzzer, Byers was called for an offensive foul, giving the Minutemen the ball under the Miami basket with a half-second remaining.
UMass guard K'Jei Parker threw the ball the length of the court without anyone touching it, giving Miami the ball under its own basket with a chance to score. The RedHawks capitalized when Luke Skaljac made a perfect pass to Antwone Woolfolk cutting to the basket for a layup at the buzzer and a 39-37 Miami lead at the half.
The Minutemen got into foul trouble early in the second half and the RedHawks entered the bonus with 12:04 remaining.
UMass closed to within 56-52 on a Marcus Banks three with 11:44 remaining. But Miami answered with a 13-6 spurt, capped by an Elmer baseline 3-pointer to take a 69-58 lead with 8:33 remaining.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Wisconsin Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Wisconsin Star.
More InformationGlobal Legal Bodies Condemn U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran, Warn of Regional War and Potential War Crimes LONDON, UK – In a stark and...
LOS ANGELES, California: Los Angeles police arrested a woman who fired gunshots outside Rihanna's gated home, according to authorities...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The three Alexander brothers, two of whom ran the most successful real estate brokerage firm in the country,...
The health crisis in Iran and across the Middle East is escalating rapidly, reported Hanan Balkhy, WHO's Regional Director for the...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Kari Lake, President Donald Trump's choice to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, did not have legal authority...
KANSAS CITY, Missouri: The Kansas City International Airport terminal was shut in the morning and evacuated for a potential threat...
(Photo credit: Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Leonardo Bettiol scored 25 points as UMass rallied...
(Photo credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images) The Los Angeles Chargers are signing running back Keaton Mitchell to a two-year, $9.5...
(Photo credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images) Tarik Skubal, Michael Wacha and Ryan Yarbrough are off the Team USA roster for the bracket...
(Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images) Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin and fellow forward Andrew Copp will be sidelined...
(Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images) The NHL on Thursday modified the disciplinary sanction levied against the Ottawa Senators...
(Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images) NEW YORK -- Villanova's return to prominence after three seasons of mediocrity following coach...
