AMHERST, MA (2/25/04) - Delonte West scored 23 points to lead the second-ranked Saint Joseph's (25-0, 14-0 A-10) to an 83-58 rout of Massachusetts (9-16, 3-10) in an Atlantic 10 Conference matchup at the Mullins Center. One of two unbeaten teams in Division I, SJU is one win shy of tying the 1995-96 UMass team for the best start by an A-10 school.

A slow start by the Hawks allowed UMass to hold a 13-9 lead in the early going. Tyrone Barley connected on two three-pointers in a minute and a half, to give the Hawks a 14-13 edge and the lead for good. Jameer Nelson scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half to give Saint Joseph's a 41-31 halftime advantage.

West, Nelson's backcourt partner, took over in the second half, scoring eight points in the first six minutes as the Hawks opened the lead to 61-39.

Barley finished the game with 14 points, making all four of his three-point attempts. Nelson added eight assists for SJU.

Rashaun Freeman led Massachusetts with 21 points.

A game at Rhode Island on Saturday and a home contest against St. Bonaventure next Tuesday at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse is all that stands between the Hawks and a perfect regular season.