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Kochera’s Big Day Leads Men’s Basketball Past UMass, 93-78

by | Feb 7, 2023

Connor Kochera had a season best night in the ‘Cats win at UMass.

 

AMHERST, Mass.Connor Kochera scored a season-high 29 points and Davidson drilled 14 3-pointers in a 93-78 victory at UMass in Atlantic 10 men’s basketball action Saturday afternoon inside the Mullins Center.

The win lifts the ‘Cats to 11-12 overall and 4-7 in conference play.

A junior from Arlington Heights, Ill., Kochera finished 10-of-13 from the floor, including seven triples in 25 minutes off the bench.

He was joined in double figures by Foster Loyer(19), David Skogman(15) and Sam Mennenga(14). Grant Huffman scored nine points and handed out a career-high 10 assists.

The Wildcats shot 64.3 percent in the second half to finish the game at 55.9 percent, while dishing out 25 assists on 33 field goals.

Clinging to a 50-47 lead, Davidson used a 19-7 run capped by Kochera’s seventh triple of the afternoon to go up, 69-54, and grab control.

After UMass (13-10, 4-7 A-10) cut the deficit to 77-70 with 5:08 remaining, the Wildcats responded with another streak to push the margin back to 15 and put the game out of reach.

Matt Cross paced the Minutemen with 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting and a 7-of-8 effort at the line.

Davidson started fast, connecting on 6-of-8, including a pair of treys to grab an early 14-7 advantage. The margin grew to 27-17, before UMass (13-10, 4-7 A-10) used a 12-2 spurt to tie the score, 29-29, with 3:22 left in the first half.

The ‘Cats closed the opening period with three consecutive 3-pointers, including two from Kochera to lead 38-35 at intermission.

Up Next
Davidson will enjoy a week break from game action before returning home for a 2:30 p.m. tip with Fordham inside Belk Arena Saturday. The game will also serve as the public retirement ceremony for former Head Coach Bob McKillop.

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