UMass men’s basketball’s perimeter defense sinks them vs. Bowling Green (photos)

6 days ago 2

AMHERST - The inability of UMass men’s basketball to defend on the perimeter showed up again on Saturday.

Senior guard Javontae Campbell torched the Minutemen for 47 points as Bowling Green won 101-100 in overtime in front of 2,574 fans at the Mullins Center.

“We’re getting exposed in league play and our inability to defend anybody that can drive the basketball,” UMass coach Frank Martin said. “We’re not very good on the perimeter defensively; we haven’t been good in a while. All you have to do is hit rewind.”

The Minutemen (9-6, 0-3 Mid-American Conference) lost their second straight and for the third time in four games.

“We haven’t defended the guy with the ball all year. Not once. Just go through the teams we played,” Martin said. “Someone has to own defensive responsibilities. Someone has to own that. That’s an individual desire to own. That’s not a structure thing.

“Eventually, somebody has to, as a player, say, ‘I’m tired of Frank yelling at me because I’m sideways instead of being in front of the ball. Let me do this better.’ It hasn’t happened since the Kent State game. Not one time. And it’s not a one-person issue; it’s a team issue.”

UMass led 79-72 with under a minute left in regulation. While the Minutemen shot 7 of 8 from the free-throw line down the stretch, the Green Falcons (11-4, 2-1 MAC) did a little more.

Javon Ruffin hit a 3, then Campbell scored the final 11 points to force overtime. Campbell hit a 3 then converted a three-point play, both times racing from one end to the other.

“I’m starting to get a little tired of asking guys to be competitive at the point of attack. We’re not. I’m getting tired of asking guys to rotate and help and be competitive at the rim. We’re not,” Martin said. “Am I getting a little frustrated, perturbed? Yes. It’s got nothing to do with the results of the games, it’s that we’re not fixing the problems we have to own.”

Campbell pulled Bowling Green within 84-83 when he scored off a UMass goaltend, then hit three free throws with 5 seconds left after being fouled on a 3 by K’Jei Parker.

“They made some tough 3s, some tough shots,” UMass forward Leonardo Bettiol said.

Bowling Green raced out to a 96-91 lead in overtime. UMass recovered when Bettiol made two from the line with 1:49 left, then Isaiah Placide knocked down a 3 in transition to tie the game at 96 with 1:14 remaining.

Mayar Wol (21 points) put back his only offensive rebound to give Bowling Green the lead on its next possession. Dwayne Wimbley Jr., who started overtime for UMass with a 3, missed an open look from the corner. Campbell was then fouled and made both to extend the lead to four with 22 seconds left.

Danny Carbuccia pulled UMass within 100-98 on a drive. Josiah Shackelford gave UMass life when he made 1 of 2 free throws. With seconds remaining, Carbuccia’s game-tying 3-point attempt missed. Bettiol tipped the ball in at the buzzer.

“We’re really close to being a good team,” Martin said. “We’re dealing with adversity right now. Who’s going to stand up and stare adversity right back and tell everyone else in the locker room, we’re going through this, and you’re coming with me, and if you don’t, you and me are going to have a problem. Someone has to own that moment. That’s how every good team is built.”

UMass was plagued by foul trouble throughout. Parker fouled out when he got Campbell on the arm on his game-tying 3-point attempt at the end of regulation. Parker finished with 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3.

Marcus Banks Jr. played only 21 minutes. Banks fouled out a minute into overtime and left with 11 points. Jayden Ndjigue fouled out with 25 seconds left in regulation. Daniel Hankins-Sanford had 14 points, but was slowed by four fouls.

“Just eliminate the cheap ones,” Hankins-Sanford said. “It’s a basketball game, they’re going to call some fouls, but we have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot right there. Just stay and front the ball, chest up, and keep the ball in front, keep your man in front, and trust the help defense.”

Bettiol finished with 32 points and 14 rebounds.

“At the end of the day, it didn’t really matter,” Bettiol said. “We have to play better on the defensive end. We cannot allow anybody to score 47 points against us.”

Carbuccia, Ndjigue, Banks Jr., Wimbley Jr., Parker, and Donovan Brown all tried their hand at stopping Campbell. UMass slowed the 6-foot-2 guard down a bit when it switched to zone, but Campbell created open looks for teammates.

“Nobody asked for him,” Martin said. “The guy went for a 50 spot, and no one asked for the matchup. That’s what I mean when I say adversity and owning the moment.”

UMass visits Ohio at 6 p.m. Tuesday in conference play.

“We’re not going to fold, we just have to come out and play like we should,” Hankins-Sanford said. “The confidence is still there, we’re not shying away.”

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