PHILADELPHIA – Josh Nickelberry hit a career-high seven 3-pointers for a game-high 21 points and the La Salle men's basketball team earned its fourth consecutive victory by beating UMass, 86-72, on Saturday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena at TruMark Financial Center.
With the win, the Explorers are now an even 6-6 in A-10 play and 12-13 overall. The Explorers also swept the season series against the Minutemen after topping them, 78-77, on Jan. 11 at UMass.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Explorers got off to a slow start, as the Minutemen raced out to a 25-18 lead through the first 11 minutes.
- However, the Explorers came back to tie the game at 29 with 3:54 remaining after going on an 11-4 run. During that stretch, Anwar Gill came off the bench and scored six points, while Nickelberry knocked down a 3-pointer and Rokas Jocius made a basket.
- Then, the Minutemen outscored the Explorers, 6-4, in the final minutes to take a 35-33 lead into halftime.
- In the second half, the Minutemen extended their lead to 43-36 with 17:04 remaining after going on a quick 8-3 run.
- Then, the Explorers started their comeback after Jocius scored three points after making a layup off a Fousseyni Drame pass while getting fouled and knocking down the ensuing free throw.
- After that, the Explorers put together an 11-4 run to take a 50-47 lead with 13:13 remaining. Jhamir Brickus started the run with four straight points and Daeshon Shepherd gave La Salle the lead on a two-handed jam that got the home crowd back into the game.
- After the Minutemen managed to take a 57-56 lead with 9:38 to go, the Explorers went on a 10-2 run to grab a 66-59 lead with 8:18 left. Nickelberry was a big catalyst in the run, making back-to-back 3-pointers.
- From there, the Explorers took over, as they put the game out of reach by going up 82-67 with 2:23 left by outscoring the Minutemen, 16-8, thanks to a pair of Nickelberry threes, Shepherd scoring five points, Brantley making a three, and Gill throwing down a one-handed dunk.
GAME NOTES
- For the fifth straight game, Nickelberry has scored in double figures while coming off the bench. The senior guard has scored in double figures in 25 career games and led the team in scoring 15 times in his career. Nickelberry has averaged 16.6 points per game over his last four contests.
- Nickelberry's 21 points marked the ninth time he has scored 20 or more in a game in his career. The Fayetteville, N.C. native scored over 20 points for the fifth time this season and for the first time since Dec. 31, 2022 when he had 21 against VCU.
- Nickelberry finished the game 7-for-11 from beyond the arch, with his seven threes surpassing his previous high of six that he had against Wake Forest on Nov. 18, 2022.
- Brantley, Shepherd, Gill and Jocius also scored in double figures in the win. Brantley finished with 17, Shepherd added 13, Gill scored 12, and Jocius matched his career high with 12 points.
- The Explorers outscored the Minutemen's bench, 58-17, in the game. The 58 points are the most off the bench for La Salle this season.
- The Explorers shot a blistering 63.6 percent (7-for-11) from 3-point range in the second half.
- La Salle shot well from the field overall, going 32-for-60 to end the game at 53.3 percent.
UP NEXT
- The Explorers will host Richmond on Wednesday at Tom Gola Arena at TruMark Financial Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
