PHILADELPHIA- La Salle battled back from a 10-point first half deficit but it wasn't enough as Massachusetts grabbed a 71-65 win over the Explorers on Wednesday evening at Tom Gola Arena.
 
"We lost to a very good team...very talented, very tough," head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "They came out with a lot of energy."
 
Four Explorers finished in double figures on the evening, led by 17 points from redshirt sophomore Cleon Roberts. Senior Steve Zack finished with 16 points to go with five rebounds and a season-high four blocks in the losing effort.
 
"Steve's a good player," added Giannini. "The reason we think we can beat the best teams in this league is because we believe have three of the best players in this league in Jerrell, Steve and Jordan."
 
Redshirt freshman Amar Stukes made his first career start for the Explorers. The Philadelphia native attended La Salle College High School, the alma mater of La Salle greats Tom Gola, Chip Greenberg, and Craig Conlin.
 
Stukes tied a season-high with 13 points, shooting 6-of-7 from the floor to go with an assist and a steal while not committing a turnover in 30 minutes on the floor.
 
Massachusetts used runs of five and six in a three-minute span to jump out to a nine-point lead with 7:58 remaining in the first half.
 
The Minutemen lead grew to ten after a Maxie Esho jumper fell with 6:09 remaining in the opening half. Esho finished with a game-high 19 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 8-of-10 from the floor.
 
The Explorers used an eight point run over 2:11 late in the first half to erase an eight-point Massachusetts lead. The Minutemen scored a last second layup to take a 34-32 lead into the half.
 
La Salle regained the lead with 15:00 remaining in the game after a Steve Zack layup made the score 43-41. This was the host's first lead since 7-6 with 15:46 remaining in the first half, a period of 20:46 without the lead.
 
A Trey Davis three-pointer erased a two-point Explorers lead and gave the Minutemen the lead for good with 9:32 remaining.
 
Redshirt sophomore Jordan Price added 12 points while senior Jerrell Wright grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds in the losing effort.
 
La Salle returns to action on Saturday as it welcomes George Washington to Tom Gola Arena with tip slated for 12:30 p.m. on NBCSN.