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AMHERST, Mass. – The Massachusetts Minteumen continued its dominance at home, improving to 10-0 at the Mullins Center, with a 79-67 win over La Salle on Wednesday night. Junior Jerrell Wright led the Explorers with 16 points and seven rebounds while Tyreek Duren added 13.
 
A-10 Player of the Year candidate Chaz Williams had 17 points and eight assists to pace five Minteumen (18-4, 5-3 A-10) in double-figures. Cady Lalanne and Trey Davis each added 13 points.
 
"I thought UMass really frustrated us in the first half by beating us to a ton of loose balls and rebounds," head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "Our effort and toughness was much better in the second half."
 
UMass, which was ranked nationally as high as #13 in the nation two weeks ago before dropping three of four on the road, jumped on the visitors in the early going. 
 
A Raphiael Putney dunk on the first possession set the tone for the Minutemen, who led 18-11 after eight minutes. The lead stretched to as many as 17 points thanks to a 10-3 run late in the half and the hosts held a 43-27 halftime advantage.
 
UMass led by 21 points in the second half before a late Explorer rally cut the deficit to 75-61 with 3:54 to play. UM stretched the lead to 18 quickly before six straight points by the Blue and Gold resulted in the 12-point final score.
 
Home teams continue to dominate in the league, as the top eight teams are a combined 29-3 in A-10 home games.
 
"What everyone in this league does is win at home," Giannini said. "We've won at home for a long time. We've won 85-90 percent of our home games. That's what this league is coming down to right now."
 
La Salle (12-10, 4-4 A-10) has a big one coming up when it hosts #13 Saint Louis on Saturday at 5 PM on ESPN2.