UMass’ first trip to the NCAA tournament since 1998 was a short one, as the sixth-seeded Minutemen were routed by Tennessee, 86-67, on Friday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.
Tennessee (23-12), an 11th seed that knocked off Iowa in a first-round game, advances to play 14th-seeded Mercer, which shocked third-seeded Duke, 78-71, in the day’s opening game.
Jarnell Stokes scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Volunteers, who shot 53 percent. Jordan McRae contributed 21 points, Josh Richardson had 15 points and five assists, and Jeronne Maymon had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Maxie Esho and Chaz Williams scored 12 points apiece for UMass (24-9), which shot 42 percent.
UMass scored the game’s first basket (a Derrick Gordon jumper), but it was the only lead the Minutemen would have. Tennessee’s lead reached double digits eight minutes into the game, and the Vols led by 19 at the break, 41-22.
UMass opened the second half with a quick 6-0 run and later closed the gap to 10 at 46-36 with 14:21 left after a Sampson Carter 3-pointer. Tennessee responded with a 9-2 run, and UMass never threatened again.