Kellogg prevails in UMass debut
Minutemen roll past Boll Weevils
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Last night's first-round game at the 2K Sports Classic provided first-year University of Massachusetts coach Derek Kellogg a great opportunity for a nice conversation with his team.
The Minutemen saw a 9-point lead over Division 2 Arkansas-Monticello evaporate in a four-minute stretch of the first half. The Boll Weevils took a 2-point lead when Kellogg decided to have a little chat with the Minutemen.
"We called a timeout and had a nice discussion as a team over there," Kellogg said.
The Minutemen responded with a double-digit scoring run and never looked back in a 90-71 win, Kellogg's first as head coach at his alma mater.
Outside shooting was a key, as the Minutemen connected on 12 of 27 attempts from 3-point range. Guard Ricky Harris paced four Minutemen in double figures with 22 points and five 3-pointers. Senior point guard Chris Lowe, a preseason All-Atlantic 10 pick, added 18 points and 11 assists, though he had five turnovers.
"I thought our seniors responded real well," Kellogg said. "Chris Lowe was fantastic tonight. Other than the five turnovers, I thought he played a pretty good game."
Anthony Gurley rounded out the backcourt scoring with 14 points, and UMass's guard play nearly overshadowed a career night from senior forward Tony Gaffney. Gaffney had 16 points and 13 rebounds, both personal bests, and six of his rebounds came on the offensive glass.
"Tony Gaffney was probably our best or second-best player tonight," Kellogg said.
Gaffney said he and forward Luke Bonner (8 points) took it upon themselves to match the production of the Minuteman guards.
"We know our guards are phenomenal," Gaffney said, "but personally and amongst ourselves, we know what we can do."
Bonner missed most of the second half after picking up three fouls.
UMass led, 29-20, with seven minutes remaining in the first half before a 13-2 run by the Boll Weevils gave them a 32-31 lead.
Less than four minutes remained before halftime when Kellogg called a timeout. His message to his team was simple.
"I just thought it was time for the seniors to take over," he said. " 'This is your team.' When the other team makes a run, your seniors are the ones that have to step up and make plays."
Harris bookended a 3-pointer and a layup around Gaffney's 3-point play as UMass went ahead, 39-33. Lowe followed with a spinning layup and free throw. Gurley added a putback for an 11-point lead.
The Minutemen took a 46-37 lead into the locker room, having hit on 6 of 16 3-point attempts.
UMass cruised in the second half, shooting 53 percent from the floor while forcing six of Arkansas-Monticello's 16 turnovers. The Boll Weevils never got closer than 7.
"It was great to get our first 'W' on the season," Kellogg said. "We were a little concerned and nervous because all reports coming in were they were a good post team."
Arkansas-Monticello center Raymond Wright led all scorers with 25 points and added 11 rebounds. Only one other Arkansas-Monticello player reached double-figure scoring.
The win also kept alive a first-game streak for Minuteman coaches: The five coaches before Kellogg all won in their debuts.
UMass looks to advance to Madison Square Garden with a win over Southern Illinois in tonight's regional championship game. 