PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team (12-14, 3-10 A-10) took down the Massachusetts Minutemen (16-9, 7-5 A-10), 82-81 for a massive home victory on Saturday afternoon. For the Explorers, it is the highest NCAA NET Ranking win of the season.
 
Five Explorers scored in double-figures for the first time since 1/6 when La Salle took down Fordham on the road. Khalil Brantley continued his impressive run of play, scoring in double-figures for the seventh straight game and recording his second double-double in just 10 days.
 
Explorers' fans can follow the team on X/Twitter @LaSalle_MBB and Instagram @lasallembb.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half

• UMass scored the only basket of the game for the first 2:10. Jhamir Brickus hit from beyond the arc to open up the scoring for La Salle followed closely by an old-fashioned three-point play from Daeshon Shepherd (6-6).
• After another lull, the game broke open with both sides scoring in bunches. Brantley took over for La Salle, scoring seven straight points.  
• UMass scored five straight following a Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi three-pointer (24-19, UMass).
• The Explorers had an answer, with Anwar Gill and Vahlbdrg Fasasi scoring to give La Salle the lead once again, 25-24.
• Following some back-and-forth action, La Salle exploded on an 11-3 run to take a 36-28 lead. The Minutemen threw a counter punch, cutting the lead to two points going into the final media timeout of the frame (38-36, LaS).
• With the Explorers up 40-39, La Salle hit the gas. Brickus got the run started with a jumper, then Shepherd got hot, ending the half with three straight three balls to put the team up 51-41 going into halftime.

Second Half

• Brickus and Rokas Jocius combined for the first four baskets of the half for La Salle (59-50, LaS).
• Gill drilled a three-pointer out of the under-16 media timeout followed by a Brickus fastbreak layup to put the Explorers up 64-50.
• UMass cashed in a three-point play, but La Salle scored the next seven points to go up 18 (71-53).
• The Minutemen were not done yet, going on a 10-1 run of their own to cut the lead down to nine points, 72-63, with 5:35 remaining.
• La Salle managed to stop the bleeding, thanks to timely baskets from Brantley and Jocius. The Explorers held a 76-67 lead with 3:16 remaining.
• The Minutemen kept coming, cutting the lead to 78-75 with 1:29 left on the clock.
• The La Salle defense stood strong, not allowing UMass to score for the next 1:19 and securing the 82-81 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• La Salle has now defeated UMass in three of the last four games between the two.
• The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the Explorers.
• Khalil Brantley recorded his second double-double in four games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The guard scored in double figures for the seventh straight game. It is the 19^th time this season and the 58^th time in his career.
• Daeshon Shepherd scored 19 points, his most since pouring in the same number vs Penn, and only three short of his career-high.
• Anwar Gill had a well-rounded outing, with 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
• Jhamir Brickus had a phenomenal performance, tying for the team-high 19 points alongside six assists.

UP NEXT

• The Explorers return home to Tom Gola Arena on Wednesday as St. Bonaventure comes to Philadelphia.
• Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 and the game will be aired live on ESPN+. Tickets are available at GoExplorers.com.