Four players scored in double-digits and Massachusetts used a first-half run to pull away and beat New Jersey Institute of Technology 79-58 on Thursday night.
After a Ryan Regis layup tied the game 26-26, UMass (3-0) went on an 18-2 run during the final 5:19 of the first half. During that span Javorn Farrell, Terrell Vinson and Raphiael Putney accounted for all of UMass' points.
Farrell finished with 17 points, Vinson added 15 and Putney tallied 12 from the bench.
NJIT (1-2) shot just 35.5 percent (11 of 31) and was outrebounded 25-18 during the first half. NJIT's shooting woes continued into the second half, as the Highlanders missed five of their first six shots. The Highlanders cut the deficit to 11, 48-37, but UMass used a 21-12 run to take a 69-49 lead with 4:20 remaining.
Chaz Williams scored 15 points and added nine assists for the Minutemen.
