• Season: 1968-69
• Date: Saturday, January 25, 1969
• Opponent: Providence
• Start Time: ?
• Site: Alumni Hall, Providence RI
• Special Event: Non-conference game
• TV: WPRO

• Result: UMass 75, Providence 62
• Attendance: 3,300 (sellout)

Redmen Shock Providence, 75-62, To Snap Four Game Losing Streak
From The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, 1/29/1969

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A standing room only crowd of 3300 looked on as UMass stunned Providence College, 75-62. The sparkling upset stopped a four-game losing streak for the Redmen and handed the Friars their first home court defeat this season.

Pete Gayeska had 22 points and 13 rebounds to highlight the superb team effort. UMass now stands 8-4 after playing seven straight away games.

Outside bombing by Ray Ellerbrook and Dennis Chapman put the Redmen on top, 4-0, at the start of the contest, but baskets from Friar forwards Craig Callen and Dennis Walsh tied the score.

Ken Mathias and Ellerbrook traded hoops with Vin Collucci and Callen, making it 8-all after five minutes of action. Then the visitors took command as Chapman connected and Mathias followed with a three-point play.

Gayeska, hitting on both left-handed and right-handed hooks, increased UMass' advantage to 24-15 before the Friars little guard Joe Ferro started to find the range with a 30-foot push shot.

Ellerbrook's shooting and Gayeska's rebounding widened the margin until Joe DiSarcina's drive made it UMass 33, Providence 16 with 7:20 to go in the first period.

Jim Larranaga, Providence's leading scorer, and Collucci, who scored 36 points against UCLA, pooled their point-making talents to bring the Friars back. Their fine shooting offset buckets by Billy Greeley and Chapman and pulled PC to within six points at halftime.

Both squads went cold at the start of the second half. Good offensive rebounding by center Ray Johnson cut into the UMass edge, leaving the Redmen with a meager 46-43 advantage.

The visitors weren't about to let this sweet one get away, however. Gayeska canned another hook, Chapman took a DiSarcina pass for a layin and Mathias walked in for two on an assist from Ellerbrook.

Free throws pushed the Redman margin into double figures at the 10 minute mark. Providence started to press a little but drives by Larranaga and Walsh were offset by reserve John Dreyer's efforts.

Dreyer came off the bench to tap in a rebound and pop a 15-footer through the cords. The clutch foul shooting of Ellerbrook and DiSarcina capped off the fine team effort.

DOUBLE DRIBBLES - Gayeska topped all scorers hitting 10 of 14 for 22 points, while Ellerbrook and Chapman followed with 18 and 13 respectively . . . The Friars, a young team, had sophomores Collucci, Larranaga and Ferro in twin numbers . . . UMass was impressive on the boards . . . They won that battle also, 49-34 . . . Providence's Captain Andy Clary was sidelined with an injured ankle . . . The game was telecast on Channel 12, WPRO-TV.