Massachusetts

Comeback Falls Short As Massachusetts Drops 82-81 Decision At La Salle – University of Massachusetts Athletics

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PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The Massachusetts (16-9, 7-6 Atlantic 10) comeback bid fell short as the Minutemen dropped an 82-81 decision to La Salle (12-14, 3-10 Atlantic 10) on Saturday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena. 

 

Trailing 51-41 at halftime, UMass was able to make it to a three-point game following a Rahsool Diggins three-pointer with 1:29 remaining, 78-75. UMass created an open look but missed a game-tying three-point attempt with 14 seconds to play.  La Salle sealed the win at the free throw line despite a pair of deep three-pointers by Robert Davis Jr., and Jaylen Curry in the final five seconds of the game. 

 

Josh Cohen had a game-high 21 points, adding 13 rebounds for a double-double performance. Matt Cross tallied 15 points, eight rebounds and three steals completing another all-around performance. 

 

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Robert Davis Jr. led all Massachusetts freshman with 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range.  

 

Junior Rahsool Diggins scored 14 points and dished out three assists in a homecoming game for the Philadelphia native. 

 

Breaking Down The Action 

  • Matt Cross got the scoring started for the Minutemen, sinking a hook shot to claim the initial advantage with 19:29 to go in the first half. 
  • Eight points from Cross helped buoy the Minutemen early, as a diving layup from the senior gave UMass a 16-13 lead with 12:58 remaining in the initial half. 
  • The Explorers wasted no time getting back into the action, taking back the lead, 24-25, off a Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi dunk with 8:30 on the clock. 
  • Two free throws from Josh Cohen halted a 13-5 La Salle run as the Explorer lead rose to 29-36 with 5:13 to go in the first half. 
  • A pair of free throws from Rahsool Diggins capped a 7-2 Minuteman run, cutting the La Salle lead to 39-40 with just over two minutes left on the clock. 
  • Three consecutive three-pointers from La Salle’s Daeshon Shephard pulled the La Salle advantage back out to 41-51 at the halftime break. 
  • Cross opened the second half with two quick layups, cutting the La Salle lead to eight, 45-53, with 18:12 to go. 
  • A Fasasi three for La Salle capped a 14-5 Explorer run that opened their advantage to 53-71 with just over 10 minutes to play. 
  • A Diggins three-pointer capped a three-minute, 10-4 Minuteman scoring run which cut the Explorer lead to three with 1:29 left in regulation 
  • The Minutemen created an open from three-point range to tie the game with 14 seconds remaining but came up empty. 
  • The Explorers closed the game at the free throw line, securing the win.  

 

New Kids On The Block 

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  • Senior Josh Cohen led all newcomers with a game-high 21 points and 13 rebounds on the day. 
  • Davis Jr shot 3-of-5 from three-point range, tallying 12 points in 16 minutes on the floor. 
  • Sophomore Daniel Hankins-Sanford grabbed four rebounds while adding four points in 21 minutes of action. 

 

Numbers To Know 

  • 5: With his performance Cohen earned his fifth double-double of the season and second against La Salle. 
  • 7: The Minutemen turned it over just seven times on the day.  
  • 10: Cohen recorded 20-plus points in a game for the 10th time this season. 
  • 30: Massachusetts held the advantage in points in the paint, 30-28, the 20th time this season they have won the battle down low. 
  • 45: Cohen has now scored a combined 45 points in two matchups with La Salle this season. 

 

Year Two Under Coach Martin 

  • Massachusetts Head Coach, Frank Martin now holds a 31-25 record leading the Minutemen. 
  • Martin now sits with a 319-226 collegiate career record. 

 

Series History  

  • UMass now holds a 30-21 record all-time versus the Explorers, dropping the 52nd matchup between the two programs. 

 
Up Next 

  • The Minutemen come home for a Tuesday night matchup with VCU on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Mullins Center. The broadcast can be found on CBS Sports  Network with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassMBB on X (Twitter).   





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