SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Anthony Gurley scored 20 points to lead Massachusetts over La Salle 74-71 on Saturday.
The Minutemen (10-6, 2-1 Atlantic 10 Conference), who scored 54 points in the paint, led by as many as 14 in the second half.
Leading 74-71, UMass' Javorn Farrell blocked Ruben Guillandeaux's layup. The Minutemen then turned it over in the backcourt with 26 seconds left, but Guillandeaux stepped out of bounds after making the steal. Farrell couldn't give the Minutemen any more of a cushion, missing two free throws with 22 seconds left setting up La Salle's final possession.
Guillandeaux again had the ball, and again came up short, missing a potential tying 3-pointer in the final seconds.
Sean Carter scored 15 points, Farrell 13 and Terrell Vinson 11 for UMass. Gary Correia had a career-high seven assists for UMass.
Jerrell Williams led La Salle (8-10, 0-3) with 20 points.
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