PHILADELPHIA – With 10 minutes, 24 seconds left, UMass looked like it was in trouble against Saint Joseph’s.
The Minutemen had led for most of the game, but two free throws by Javon Baumann capped a 10-0 run that tied the game, bringing the Hagan Arena sellout crowd of 4,200 to life.
UMass tried to answer but missed two shots and then turned the ball over. But at the other end, DeJon Jarreau snatched the ball away from Nick Robinson and raced in for a layup.
Thirteen seconds later, Luwane Pipkins picked Lamarr Kimble’s pocket and took off. He changed speeds going to the basket. He waited just long enough for Baumann to foul him, but not long enough to let the contact prevent the layup. Pipkins hit the free throw to complete the three-point play. The sequence started a 7-0 run that put the Minutemen in control for good as they held on for an 87-76 win Saturday that snapped a five-game losing streak.
“There’s been times throughout the season where teams have gone on runs and you could see the wind come out of our sails,” said UMass coach Derek Kellogg, whose team improved to 13-12 (3-9 A-10). “Today we made big plays that gave us a winning attitude to come out and win the basketball game.”
Jarreau hoped it marked a turning point.
“It feels great. We’re been in a little slump,” Jarreau said. “After I got the steal and Luwane got the steal, I thought, we’re going to win this game. We were energized. The whole team was engaged in the game. … To come out here and get a win, especially on the road, this is a big confidence builder. Hopefully we can build on this and hopefully go on a little run.”
Zach Lewis, who had 23 points in UMass’ win over the Hawks in Amherst, delivered the knockout blow with 5:49 remaining. With the shot clock winding down and the Minutemen up 66-59, Rashaan Holloway found him just left of the top of the key. Lewis (11 points) knocked down the 3-pointer to push the lead back to double-digits. St. Joe’s didn’t get within seven again until there were 20 seconds left in the game.
“It was big,” Lewis said. “We needed this win. It feels good to pull out a win.”
With 9 seconds left and the game out of reach, Jarreau grabbed a defensive rebound and delivered the outlet pass to Donte Clark, who had nobody between him and the basket. After almost a month of frustration, Clark ran in an dunked the ball earning boos from the Hawks crowd. But they didn’t dampen the celebration on the UMass bench.
“Now we’re rolling,” Lewis said. “Now we just have to learn from the film and keep going.”
The punctuation dunk gave Clark 24 points in the game. He set the tone early with four first-half 3-pointers en route to 18 points at intermission. Pipkins (19 points, three steals) made four of his own in the first half as UMass led 36-25 with 2:55 left before the break. The Hawks answered with an 8-0 run to get within three at 36-33 with 1:24 on the clock.
But Ty Flowers slammed home a one-handed putback as the Minutemen answered with seven straight points.
Lamarr Kimble (12 points) made two free throws as UMass led 43-35 at halftime.
Charlie Brown led the Hawks (10-14, 3-9 A-10) with 15 points and eight rebounds. Holloway added 10 points and nine boards for the Minutemen, who are at Duquesne, Thursday at 7 p.m.
“It was a good basketball game. They played hard, we played hard. We just made more shots,” Kellogg said. “We just needed a win. When you get close so many times and you don’t pull it out, guys start to wonder. To make those plays was fantastic.”
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage