University of Massachusets Athletics
Explorer's Down Minutemen 65-44 In Amherst
February 08, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2006
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery
La Salle 65, UMass 44 Feb. 8, 2006 * Mullins Center
* UMass saw its 12-game home win streak come to an end with the loss. UMass' last home loss came on Jan. 29, 2005, a 69-64 loss to Richmond.
* UMass' home win streak at the Mullins Center was the second-longest in the facility's history. The Minutemen opened the building with a 27-game win streak.
* (Note different from game notes) Coming into Wednesday's action, only 11 teams in the nation, led by Gonzaga (35) games had longer home winning streaks. Three teams with longer streaks played home games on Wednesday night: Florida (20, vs. South Carolina), Akron (14 vs. Western Michigan), Michigan State (13, vs. Purdue). UConn, which is tied with UMass at 12 home wins in a row hosts Syracuse Wednesday as well.
* UMass had its lowest scoring game since Feb. 14, 2004, a 64-44 loss at Xavier.
* It was the lowest at the Mullins Center since a 63-38 loss to Saint Joseph's on Jan. 5, 2002.
* James Life scored 15 consecutive UMass points midway through the second half. That came after had been held scoreless for the game including starting 0-for-6 from the field. He hit six consecutive free throws then made three 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 46-41. Life's first 12 points came in 2:05 as UMass shaved 13 points off a 44-26 deficit with 11:53 left in the second half. After his spurt UMass trailed just 46-41 with 7:48 remaining.
* It was Life's fifth game in a row in double-figures. Over his last five games, Life is averaging 16.6 points per game. Life has 10 games this season with 10 or more points.
* Rashaun Freeman grabbed more than 10 rebounds in a game, but did not score in double-figures for the first time in his career. It was his 29th career game with 10 or more rebounds. Freeman was held without a field goal for the first time in his career.
* UMass went 10:10 without a field goal from 3:26 left in the first half until 13:16 was left in the second half.
* The teams traded runs in the first half, UMass went on a 6-0 run over 5:20. Later in the half, La Salle outscored UMass 13-0 over 7:40 before a Brandon Thomas 3-pointer ended the drought.
* UMass held defending A-10 Player of the Year Steven Smith scoreless for the game's first 10:22 as he was 0-for-5 from the floor. Smith slammed home a follow up for his first points with 9:38 left in the half. Smith finished the game with10 points.