University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
La Salle
Minutemen Hold Off La Salle, 62-58
January 25, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2001
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Monty Mack scored 23 points including two crucial jumpers in the last 1:35 as Massachusetts held off a late La Salle rally and defeated the Explorers 62-58 on Thursday night.
Mack, who scored 19 of his points in the second half, moved into second place in Massachusetts' all-time scoring list. Mack now has 1,909 points, passing Lou Roe who had 1,905. Jim McCoy is the all-time leader with 2,374 points.
Shannon Crooks added 12 points for the Minutemen (7-10, 5-1 Atlantic 10) while Rasual Butler had 30 points for La Salle (7-10, 1-5).
UMass took its biggest lead of the game, 57-46, on three free throws by Mack. The Explorers then scored 12 straight points including three straight 3-point shots by Butler to take a 58-57 lead with 1:55 to go.
Mack then made a 15-foot jumper from the wing at the 1:35 mark, then hit a 10-footer with 39 seconds left to clinch the victory.
Massachusetts jumped out to a 19-10 lead, but La Salle rallied to tie the score at 23-23 on a three-pointer by Butler. The Minutemen led 35-32 at halftime, despite 19 points by Butler.
