National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Massachusetts 77, Providence 75
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, November 15, 2012
Where: Coliseo de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
Officials: # Jose Carrion, # Hal Lusk, # Lamont Simpson
Attendance: 4103


Massachusetts 77, Providence 75: Terrell Vinson’s tip-in as time expired powered the Minutemen to their second dramatic victory in as many games in the first round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament.

Jesse Morgan scored a team-high 18 points, Chaz Williams chipped in 17 and Vinson added 14 for Massachusetts (2-0), which will meet No. 6 North Carolina State in Friday's semifinals after winning its season opener against Harvard at the buzzer on a 3-pointer from Sampson Carter.

After a 3-pointer from Morgan tied the game at 75 with 1:26 remaining, Williams’ 15-foot jumper hit off the back iron with just over a second remaining, giving Vinson enough time to collect the rebound in mid-air and score off the glass.

Without the services of injured point guard Vincent Council, the Friars appeared to be rattled initially by Massachusetts’ full-court pressure. Providence settled in as the half wore on, trimming an 11-point lead to 41-35 at the break with 10 offensive rebounds while the Minutemen committed 10 turnovers.

Bryce Cotton had 23 points for the Friars (2-1).

GAME NOTEBOOK: In the first matchup between the schools since 2000, Massachusetts improved to 6-22 all-time against Providence. … Council’s injury in the season opener left the Friars with only six academically eligible scholarship players available for this entire event. … Cotton, Kadeem Batts and LaDontae Henton have accounted for 177 of the Friars’ 220 points this season.

Top Game Performances
 
Providence   Massachusetts
Bryce Cotton 23 Scoring Jesse Morgan 18
Bryce Cotton 5 Assists Chaz Williams 6
LaDontae Henton 11 Rebounds Raphiael Putney 7
Bryce Cotton 8 Free Throws Made Terrell Vinson 4
LaDontae Henton 2 Steals Jesse Morgan 2
Kadeem Batts 1 Blocks Cady Lalanne 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Providence 75 48.1 5-19 18-24 9 31 1 3 13
Massachusetts 77 50.8 6-19 9-17 10 34 2 7 17