Feb. 23, 2005

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - Rashaun Freeman scored 24 points and had 17 rebounds as Massachusetts won its school-record fifth overtime game of the season, 70-64 over Rhode Island on Wednesdday night.

Massachusetts scored six of the first seven points in overtime with Chris Chadwick hitting a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to lead the Minutemen (15-9, 8-5 Atlantic 10) in the extra session.

UMass led 28-21 at halftime and led for the entire second half until the Rams' Jon Lucky tied it at 57-57 with a 3-pointer with 53 seconds to play.

Stephane Lasme's layup put the Minutemen back on top, but a leaner by Scott Hazelton with one second to play in regulation tied the game at 59-59 and forced overtime.

Art Bowers had 18 points for UMass.

Rhode Island (4-20, 2-11), which has lost nine in a row, was led by Hazelton with 22 points and Lucky with 14.

Rhode Island held its last lead at 17-16. Freeman hit a free throw and Bowers followed with a 3-pointer and UMass never trailed again.