UMass Men’s Basketball Struggles with Perimeter Defense in Overtime Loss

The UMass men’s basketball team faced another challenging game on Saturday, where their inability to defend on the perimeter became evident. In a closely contested match against Bowling Green, the Minutemen fell 101-100 in overtime at the Mullins Center, drawing a crowd of 2,574 fans.

Senior guard Javontae Campbell was the standout performer for Bowling Green, scoring an impressive 47 points. His performance highlighted the defensive struggles of UMass, which has been consistently exposed in league play.

“We’re getting exposed in league play and our inability to defend anybody that can drive the basketball,” said UMass coach Frank Martin. “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) suffered their second straight loss and third in four games. Martin emphasized the need for individual responsibility in defense, noting that the team hasn’t effectively defended opponents all season.

“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.”

Despite leading 79-72 with under a minute left in regulation, UMass struggled to maintain their advantage. The Green Falcons capitalized on key moments, with Javon Ruffin hitting a three-pointer and Campbell scoring the final 11 points to force overtime.

Campbell’s ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates was a major factor in the outcome. He hit a three-pointer and converted a three-point play, showcasing his quickness and determination.

“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.”

Bowling Green extended their lead in overtime, but UMass made a late push to tie the game. Leonardo Bettiol scored two free throws, and Isaiah Placide hit a three-pointer to bring the game to 96-96. However, the Minutemen were unable to secure the win.

UMass was plagued by foul trouble throughout the game. K’Jei Parker fouled out after being fouled on a three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation. Parker finished with 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc.

Marcus Banks Jr. played only 21 minutes before fouling out in the first minute of overtime. Jayden Ndjigue also fouled out with 25 seconds remaining in regulation. Daniel Hankins-Sanford had 14 points but was limited 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, highlighting the team’s offensive efforts. However, he acknowledged the need for better defensive performance.

“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.”

UMass attempted to contain Campbell, with several players trying to stop him. While the team switched to a zone defense, Campbell still managed to create open looks for his 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.”

As the team prepares for their next game against Ohio at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Martin remains focused on improving the team’s defensive efforts.

“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.”