The Massachusetts Minutemen (11-4, 2-1 A-10) defeated the La Salle Explorers (10-6, 1-2 A-10) 81-65 on Wednesday night. The Minutemen extend their lead in the all-time series history to 30-21 over the Explorers.
Anwar Gill missed his second straight game for the Explorers due to a lower-body injury, which made Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi start in Gill’s place. Throughout the first half, the game felt like neither team wanted the lead in the game. At the start of the second half, though it seemed that UMass had more energy than La Salle did to start, the Explorers started to outscore the Minutemen. UMass found ways to hold La Salle scoreless for several stretches in the second half, which let the Minutemen take the lead, and not look back on the Explorers. The Minutemen saw Matt Cross go down with barely six minutes left to go in the game. Cross needed assistance walking back to the locker room, where he was checked out. Cross came back out of the locker room with his left shoe off, and ice wrapped around his ankle. After the game Cross was seen walking back over to the Champions Center tunnel on crutches. Matt will most likely be a game-time decision in the Minutemen’s next game.
The Explorers had four players in double-digit scoring. Vahlberg Fasasi led the way with 14 points for La Salle. Jhamir Brickus had 12 points, Daeshon Shepherd had 11 points, and Andres Marrero had 10 points to round out all scorers in double figures. Rokas Jocius had 9 points, Khalil Brantley had 7 points, and Ryan Zan had 2 points to round out all scorers for the Explorers.
The Minutemen had four players in double-digit scoring. Josh Cohen had his second double-double as a Minuteman with 24 points and 10 rebounds, which led UMass in scoring. Rahsool Diggins had 15 points, and Jaylen Curry had 12 points. Daniel Hankins-Sanford had a career night, by earning his first career double-double with 10 points and achieving a new career high in rebounds with 13 rebounds to round out scorers in double figures for UMass. Keon Thompson and Cross had 6 points apiece, Jayden Ndjjigue had 5 points, and Marqui Worthy had 2 points to round out all scorers for the Minutemen.
La Salle returns home to face off against the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams (9-7, 1-2 A-10) on Saturday, January 13th at 12:30pm on USA Network. This will be the 15th meeting between these two teams, and the Rams have a 12-2 lead in the series history over the Explorers.
UMass travels down to the Ryan Center to face off against the Rhode Island Rams (8-7, 2-0 A-10) on Saturday, January 13th at 2pm on ESPN+. This will be the 163rd meeting between these two teams, and the Minutemen have a 94-68 lead in the series history over the Rams.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Scoreboard:
- Tuesday, January 9th
- The Rhode Island Rams (8-7, 2-0) defeated the Davidson Wildcats (10-5, 0-2) 79-74.
- The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (9-7, 1-2) defeated the George Mason Patriots (13-3, 2-1) 54-50.
- The Richmond Spiders (10-5, 2-0) narrowly defeated the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (10-6, 2-1) 58-56.
- Wednesday, January 10th
- The Saint Louis Billikens (8-8, 1-2) narrowly defeated the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (10-5, 0-2) 88-85.
- The Massachusett Minutemen (11-4, 2-1) defeated the La Salle Explorers (10-6, 1-2).
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Friday, January 12th
- Dayton Flyers (12-2, 2-0) at Duquesne Dukes (9-5, 0-2) at 7pm on ESPN2.
- Saturday, January 13th
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (9-7, 1-2) at La Salle Explorers (10-6, 1-2) at 12:30pm on USA Network.
- Davidson Wildcats (10-5, 0-2) at George Washington Revolutionaries (12-3, 1-1) at 2pm ESPN+.
- Massachusetts Minutemen (11-4, 2-1) at Rhode Island Rams (8-7, 2-0) at 2pm on ESPN+.
- Fordham Rams (7-8, 1-1) at Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (10-4, 1-1) at 2:30pm on USA Network.
- Loyola Chicago Ramblers (10-6, 2-0) at Saint Joseph’s Hawks (10-5, 0-2) at 4pm on ESPNU.
- George Mason Patriots (13-3, 2-1) at Richmond Spiders (10-5, 2-0) at 6pm on ESPN+.
- Monday, January 15th
- George Mason Patriots (13-3, 2-1) at George Washington Revolutionaries (12-3, 1-1) at 2pm on CBSSN.
- La Salle Explorers (10-6, 1-2) at Saint Joseph’s Hawks (10-5, 0-2) at 4pm on CBSSN.
Featured Image: Chris Tucci, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
