PHILADELPHIA – Junior David Beatty had career highs in points, assists and steals, but the La Salle University men's basketball team dropped its home finale to Massachusetts, 75-64, from Tom Gola Arena Wednesday night.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Beatty gave the Explorers an early 7-6 lead four minutes into action with a three-pointer and hit another from deep just over a minute later to put La Salle up, 10-9.
• UMass followed with an 8-2 run and later look a 21-15 lead on a jumper by Tre Mitchell with 8:58 left in the half.
• Freshmen Ayinde Hikim and Sherif Kenney scored the next four points for the Explorers to bring the deficit down to just two before a UMass three from Sean East pushed it back to five.
• The Minutemen stretched their advantage to 10 before a three from senior Saul Phiri and a dunk from sophomore Jared Kimbrough made it a five-point difference. But Mitchell made a layup just before the buzzer to provide a 31-24 halftime lead for UMass.
• Beatty started off the second half with a quick jumper and the Explorers got back within five after another three by Phiri just one minute into the period.
• La Salle made it a three-point game with 14:38 to go on a layup by Kenney, but Mitchell immediately responded with a two of his own to extend the Minutemen lead.
• The Explorers got within three again after a pair of free throws from senior Isiah Deas, but two quick baskets by UMass extended the lead to 51-43 with 9:18 to go.
• La Salle stood within five, 62-57, with 3:42 remaining, but Mitchell continued to lead the charge for the Minutemen down the stretch as he scored 13 points over the final 10 minutes to close out the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Beatty tallied career highs in points (20) and steals (4) while matching his career best with six assists. He finished the game 4-of-6 from downtown over 36 minutes.
• Phiri also tallied a career high in steals with four while adding 13 points and eight rebounds. Kimbrough shot 5-for-6 from the floor and chipped in 10 points.
• Mitchell, the A-10 Rookie of the Week four weeks running, led all scorers with 24 points.

UP NEXT

• The Explorers will conclude the regular season at Saint Joseph's on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. from Hawk Hill.