UMass head coach Frank Martin. Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

Seemingly forgettable UMass-Fordham matchup turns into triple-overtime thriller

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 16, 2025 1:04 AM ET

Who expected a matchup between two mediocre Atlantic 10 teams to look like a March Madness thriller?

On Wednesday, the Fordham Rams hosted the Massachusetts Minutemen. According to Bruce Beck of WNBC-TV in New York, the Rams were commemorating the 100th anniversary of Rose Hill Gymnasium, the oldest in Division I.

In a contest that lasted three hours and 45 minutes, the Minutemen (7-11) beat the Rams (8-10) in a 120-118 triple-overtime victory. Per Beck, it was the highest-scoring game in Rose Hill Gymnasium history, making the celebration even more memorable.

The game could have been shorter had both teams not committed less fouls. They combined for 79 fouls and 122 free throws and nine players fouled out.

The Minutemen also had an opportunity to seal the win in the first overtime, but they squandered it.

With the Minutemen leading 98-95 with 0.4 seconds left, UMass forward Daniel Rivera fouled Rams forward Romad Dean on a half-court heave. Dean made all three foul shots, sending the game into a second overtime.

UMass-Fordham with the GAME OF THE YEAR

• UMass fouls on a half-court heave
• Game goes into 3OT
• 79 Fouls
• 122 Free Throws

UMass wins 120-118. The O/U was 154.5pic.twitter.com/VIWC6ZcFQo
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 16, 2025

OH MY UMASS... Up 3 they foul on a 3p attempt with 0.4.

RAMS MAKE ALL 3 FT

DOUBLE OT IN THE BRONX OMG pic.twitter.com/qtmbaHJRRY
— A10 Talk (@A10Talk) January 16, 2025

Rivera made up for his mistake in the third overtime, hitting the winning layup with 10 seconds remaining.

Adding to the pandemonium, UMass senior guard Rahsool Diggins scored a program-record 46 points on 14-of-29 shooting.

ESPN's Data Skrive credits Diggins with the most points by visiting player at Rose Hill Gymnasium, eclipsing Basketball Hall of Famer/UMass alum Julius Erving's 37-point game on Jan. 21, 1970 (h/t ESPN).

UMass guard Rahsool Diggins went OFF for 46 in a triple-OT thriller against Fordham

WHAT A GAME. pic.twitter.com/fAD6BhRsjp
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) January 16, 2025

Wednesday night's matchup marked the final A-10 regular-season game between the teams. The Minutemen are moving to the Mid-American Conference next season.

It's unclear when they'll meet again. Until then, fans should enjoy this game, which seems like one to remember.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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