But just as fast as Lee (15 points) helped cut the lead to six points, the game got out of hand as the Minutemen went on an 8-0 run and held off the Huskies, winning 83-67 at the Mullins Center.

“We didn’t take good care of the basketball this evening, and that turned into immediate points,” head coach Bill Coen said. “We had to use an awful lot of energy to get back into the game and I think once you get to a certain level, if you can’t get over the hump and turn the pressure on the other team the opportunity slips away.”

UMass used a full-court press throughout the first half to stifle the Huskies’ offense, as NU struggled to set up plays after they crossed half court.

The Minutemen took a 40-28 lead at the end of the first half, and slowly worked toward a 17-point lead.

However, four free throws from junior guard and captain Joel Smith (15 points) sparked the run highlighted by Lee’s dunk. After the dunk and the foul by UMass forward Maxie Esho, Lee hit the two free throws then added a layup before the Minutemen hit a pair of free throws.

A 3-pointer by Smith pulled the Huskies within six, but the Minutemen switched back to the full court press, which led to a handful of transition baskets that set NU back to an irreversible margin.

UMass point guard Chaz Williams, a transfer from Hofstra University, led all scorers with 20 points and dished out 10 assists.

“I’m pretty familiar with Chaz because we competed against him at Hofstra,” Coen said. “He’s a terrific player who’s really difficult to contain. He creates so many easy baskets for himself and his teammates, and he will really make this team go this year.”

While the Huskies struggled to find their offensive rhythm Monday, the team came out strong in its season opener at Boston University when they pulled out a thrilling 82-74 overtime victory.

Although the Huskies coughed up an 11-point lead that left the game tied 64-64 at the end of regulation, they closed out the Terriers with a 13-2 run for the victory in overtime.

“It was an outstanding college basketball game,” Coen said. “I think both teams played hard and executed their game plan and we were fortunate to come away with a victory. I was extremely proud of our freshmen class, which came in and responded well in an exciting and outstanding college environment.”

In front of a sold-out, record crowd of 1,875 fans at Case Gym, freshman forward Reggie Spencer scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double in his first collegiate start.

Spencer’s performance earned him Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week honors.

“One of the things we were lacking last year was a rebounder,” Coen said. “We really wanted to address those needs and I have a guy on my staff named Antonio Reynolds-Dean and he’s one of the great rebounders at 6-foot-5. I told him, ‘Find someone that looks just like you and plays like you,’ and we were fortunate to convince Reggie to come up from Alabama. He has a huge heart, and for his first college game, that was pretty impressive.”

Smith and Lee poured in 20 and 11 points, respectively, while senior center Kashief Edwards turned in eight points and three rebounds in his debut as a Husky after transferring from Niagra University.

The win marked the Huskies’ sixth straight win against BU in the last eight meetings.

Last season, NU escaped with a two-point victory while BU downed the Huskies in overtime the season before.

“This is a terrific spot on the calendar for this game,” Coen said. “It’s grown in momentum the last two years and it really sets the tone for the college basketball season.”

Coen and the Huskies will resume action Saturday as they welcome Southern Illinois in the home opener during homecoming weekend. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.