UMass runs away from BC in 2nd half, 71-62

Nov 16, 2014, 06:04 pm

BOSTON -- Maxie Esho scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Massachusetts to a 71-62 win over cross-state rival Boston College on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.

Junior guard Derrick Gordon, the first active openly-gay player in Division I basketball, received a nice hand from the sparse crowd in pregame introductions and scored all 15 of his points in the second half for the Minutemen (2-0).

Cady Lalanne had 11 points and 10 boards for UMass, which beat Boston College for the second straight year.

Olivier Hanlan led the Eagles (1-1) with 18 points.

The game was the middle one of the second annual Coaches vs. Cancer tripleheader, featuring six of the state's Division I programs.

UMass converted six turnovers into easy transition baskets during a 21-5 run to start the second half, turning an eight-point deficit into a 45-37 lead with 14 1/2 minutes to play.