Massachusetts rally falls short against Green Bay, 79-75

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands — Massachusetts basketball (3-3) dropped a 79-75 contest to Green Bay (2-5) on day two of the 2025 Paradise Jam at the University of the Virgin Islands. 
 
The Minutemen were led by Leonardo Bettiol, who scored 21 points while shooting 13-for-14 from the free-throw line. Bettiol recorded a game-high eight rebounds in addition to dishing out four assists. 
 
Marcus Banks Jr. scored 19 points, shooting 6-of-15 from the field. Danny Carbuccia tallied a career-high 16 points on the afternoon, going 7-for-9 from the field and dishing out a team-high five assists. 
 
The Phoenix were led by Justin Allen, who scored a game-high 27 points. The guard went 7-for-13 from the field and a perfect 12-for-12 from the charity stripe. 
 
Breaking Down the Action 

• The Minutemen opened the game with an early 5-0 run capped by a steal and fastbreak layup from Jayden Ndjigue.  
• Green Bay tied the game with a pair of baskets and a free throw. 
• Danny Carbuccia drilled a three for a 10-7 Massachusetts lead with 12:51 on the clock. 
• An and-one basket from Preston Ruedinger gave Green Bay a 13-10 advantage with 10:48 on the clock. 
• Banks hit a 3-point basket to tie the game at 13, but Green Bay responded with a jumper from Justin Allen to keep the deficit at two points. 
• The Phoenix went on a 10-2 run over three minutes to widen the Phoenix lead, 25-15 with 5:34 on the clock. 
• A technical free throw from Banks sent Massachusetts to halftime down 33-25. 
• A pair of free throws by Caden Wilkins extended the Green Bay lead out of the break, 35-25. 
• Banks and Carbuccia capped a 7-2 Massachusetts run to cut the deficit back to 45-40 with 14:21 remaining. 
• Two layups from Vukasin Todorovic kept the Phoenix in the driver’s seat, 59-51 with 10:07 left in regulation. 
• 11 points from Bettiol keyed a 14-9 Minutemen run to cut the deficit down to 68-66 with 3:05 to play. 
• A pair of free throws from Banks brough the Minutemen within one, 72-71 with just over a minute remaining. 
• Massachusetts could not complete the comeback bid, falling 79-75 at the final whistle. 

 
Newcomer Notifications 

• Eight newcomers saw action on the evening, with Bettiol, Banks Jr. and Parker entering as starters. 
• Bettiol recorded 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds. 
• Banks made a game-high four 3-pointers. 
• Carbuccia shot 7-for-9 from the field and dished out a game-high five assists. 

 
Numbers To Know 

• 2: The game marked the second of three that Massachusetts will play as part of the Paradise Jam. 
• 3: Two Minutemen reached double figures on the night: Bettiol (21), Banks Jr (19) and Carbuccia (16). 
• 28: Massachusetts scored 28 points in the paint. 
• 30: The Minutemen nabbed 30 rebounds. 

 
Series History 

• With the result, Massachusetts now holds a 1-2 record against the Phoenix all-time 
• Massachusetts is now 3-3 over the season and 50-50 with Coach Martin at the helm. 

 
Up Next 

• The Minutemen will cap the Paradise Jam against Oregon State on Monday, Nov. 24 with tip-off set for 12:30 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live updates and links available at umassathletics.com or @UMassMBB on X (Twitter).