Comeback Falls Short As Massachusetts Drops 82-81 Decision At La Salle

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.

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

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).

Scoreboard