Money Williams scores 35 as Boston College defeats UMass 71-55

Senior guard Money Williams scored 35 points to lead Boston College past UMass 71-55 on Friday at TD Garden.

The victory gave the Eagles their first win in the revived in-state rivalry since 2010. UMass had won the previous meeting last season in Springfield.

Boston College improved to 2-0 on the season while UMass dropped to 1-1. The result extends BC's overall series lead to 27-22.

Williams, a 6-foot-4 senior, recorded nine rebounds and five assists. He scored 21 of his 35 points in the first half. The guard finished 13-for-13 from the free-throw line.

The Eagles struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only three of 27 three-point attempts. However, they shot 59.4% on two-point shots and dominated the glass.

BC built a 37-35 halftime lead. The team extended that advantage with a 10-0 run at the start of the second half.

Brandon Benjamin provided energy off the bench with 10 points and eight rebounds. Armoni Zeigler scored through contact in transition during the run. Zak Smrekar capped the sequence with a turnaround jumper to put BC ahead 47-37 with 15:18 remaining.

UMass closed the gap to four points with 5:35 left in the game. Dwayne Wembley Jr. grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a layup to cut the deficit. Wembley finished with 15 points.

BC outscored the Minutemen 16-4 over the final stretch. Williams hit a three-pointer from the wing during the closing run. He did not sit until the final 27 seconds.

Head coach Luke Murray credited the team's defensive effort for overcoming poor shooting. He noted that the group held UMass to a 25% field goal percentage in the second half.

Murray said he was encouraged by Williams' performance in a high-profile venue. The coach's father, Bill Murray, sat on the bench during the game.

UMass coach Frank Martin expressed support for continuing the annual matchup. He stated that the two administrations are connected and plan to work to keep the game on the schedule.