After producing their worst first half of the season Sunday, UMass knocked down 58 percent of their shots and churned out 44 points in the first half at the Mullins Center. The Minutemen could hardly be slowed by the Charlotte defenders, as six, first-half, 3-pointers gave UMass a 44-33 lead at the break.
Sophomore forward Raphiael Putney led the Minutemen with 12 points five rebounds and three assists in the first half. Putney knocked down two of the team's 3-pointers and even added a block, in one of his best halves of the year.
Fellow big man, Terrell Vinson added 10 points of his own and three other UMass players recorded seven points.
Chris Braswell led the way for the 49ers with a game-high 13 points and a team-high three rebounds in the half. Redshirt sophomore guard Derrio Brown was the only other Charlotte player to score more than four points, as he finished with six.
UMass dominated the boards, pulling down 18, compared to just 11 for Charlotte. The Minutemen also turned eight Charlotte turnovers into 13 points, making up for their own nine turnovers.