March 5, 2005

Box Score | Quotes | Notes

Amherst, Mass - Rashaun Freeman and Stephane Lasme scored 16 points each to lead Massachusetts to a 69-64 win over Duquesne in the regular-season finale at Amherst.

Freeman hit two key buckets in the final 3:27 after Duquesne cut a UMass lead from 11 three with 4:21 to go. Lasme, who entered the game a 56 percent career free throw shooter, went 14-of-14 from the line with the last two coming with 13 seconds left to provide the final margin.

Bryant McAllister scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half to lead Duquesne. Kieron Achara, who went 9-of-11 from the foul line, and DeVario Hudson added 13 and 12 points for the Dukes. Achara was the only Duquesne player to attempt a free throw. The Minutemen, who had three fewer field goals than the Dukes, went 22-of-31 from the foul line.

Duquesne turned it over 12 times in falling behind 37-30 at the half. McAllister scored two quick buckets and Achara added a pair of free throws in the first three minutes of the second half to pull the Dukes within one at 37-36. DU took a 41-39 lead on a 3-pointer by Chauncey Duke with 15:09 left, before UMass answered with an 11-0 run that consisted of eight made free throws - including six by Lasme - and a 3-pointer by Artie Bowers to take a 50-41 lead.

The lead reached 11 with 9:25 to go before Duquesne held UMass scoreless for the next 5:28 and pulled within three on a pair of Achara free throws at the 4:21 mark. It was then that Freeman hit his pair of key buckets.

Duquesne cut the lead to two twice in the last 1:15 and had a chance to tie the game with 18 seconds left when McAllister misfired on a step-back 3-point attempt. Lasme was then fouled with UMass up 67-64 and made both for the final margin.