Jan. 22, 2000

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - Monty Mack scored 17 points and Chris Kirkland added 16 as hot-shooting Massachusetts overwhelmed Rhode Island 89-50 Saturday.

After taking a 42-27 lead into the break, UMass started the second half by hitting 13-for-17 in the first seven minutes.

UMass (9-8, 3-2 Atlantic 10) finished 51.4 percent from the field on 36 of 70 shooting. Shannon Crooks, with 13 points, also reached double-figures for the Minutemen.

Rhode Island shot 28.3 percent (17-60) for the game and committed 21 turnovers.

Tavorris Bell led the Rams with 16 points.

UMass took control with an 11-0 run early in the first half. Rhode Island, meanwhile, shot 1-for-13 over the first five minutes.

The Minutemen led by as many as 17 points twice in the first half.