Men's Basketball | January 29, 2019

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle men's basketball returns home to Tom Gola Arena at TruMark Financial Center on Wednesday evening for a matchup with Massachusetts. The Explorers, who have had a week off since a road win at Fordham on Jan. 23, will be in search of a season sweep of the Minutemen, who they beat in the Atlantic 10 opener for both schools, 69-60, on Jan. 5.

The first 300 students in attendance will receive a free La Salle winter scarf, courtesy of La Salle Athletics, and another Dollar Dog Night will offer patrons hot dogs for only $1 all evening long at the arena. The Hideaway Tent will be open 90 minutes prior to tipoff, offering La Salle fans an opportunity to purchase beverages -- including beer, wine and soft drinks -- and pub-style food right outside TruMark Financial Center.

NEWS & NOTES
•In their last contest, La Salle picked up a 73-71 road win at Fordham in a game that got close late.
•La Salle led by as many as 14 points in the second half but saw the Rams fight their way back and pull to within four at 73-69 with five seconds remaining.
•After the Explorers missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity, Fordham took the ball down the court and Antwon Portley was fouled while attempting a three-pointer with 1.3 seconds remaining.
•Portley made the first two to cut the home team's deficit to two and missed the third intentionally.
•The rebound came down to Onyi Eyisi, whose game-tying attempt came up short.
•Junior Isiah Deas posted 20 points and a new career high with six assists in his return to his native New York. 
•Deas shot 4-for-8 from three-point range, helping La Salle to a season-high 14 made three-pointers.
•Classmate Saul Phiri also had a standout shooting night, going a perfect 4-for-4 from deep en route to 14 points. 
•Graduate student Pookie Powell (16) and junior Traci Carter (10) rounded out the four players in double figures for the Explorers.
•La Salle's 14 three-pointers were four shy of the school record of 18, set three times but most recently against Fordham during the 2012-13 season.
•The Explorers' three-point field goal percentage of 53.8% (14-26) also set a new season best, bettering their prior mark of 52.2% which was set against Villanova at The Palestra.

SCOUTING MASSACHUSETTS
•The Minutemen are coming off their first Atlantic 10 victory of the year, a 77-70 decision over Rhode Island on Sunday.
•Carl Pierre scored a season-high 22 points, three off his career high which he set twice last season - including in UMass' overtime win over the Explorers on Jan. 10, 2018.
•Leading scorer Luwane Pipkins, who is averaging 17.9 points per game, was held to 2-of-14 from the field but did have nine assists.
•UMass shot an impressive 63.6 percent from the field in the second half against the Rams, including 5-for-8 (62.5%) from three-point range.