Feb. 18, 2012

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AMHERST, Mass. - Terrell Vinson's fadeaway jumper as time expired was reviewed and ruled a two-point basket leaving UMass on the short end of a 72-71 Atlantic 10 game at the Mullins Center Saturday night.

The basket almost capped a comeback that saw the Minutemen trail by four with 21.2 seconds left. Maxie Esho grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a three-point play to cut the deficit to 70-69 with 13.1 remaining.

Tyreek Duren made two free throws for the Explorers to set up the final scenario. Chaz Williams missed the initial three try before grabbing the board and feeding Vinson whose foot was proved to be on the line in the replay.

UMass (18-8, 7-5 A-10) shot 45 percent for the game but was just 9-of-18 from the free throw line. Esho finished with a career-high 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while Williams recorded his second-consecutive double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.

La Salle (18-9, 7-5) made eight 3-pointers and saw four players in double figures, led by Earl Pettis' 18. Duren, Ramon Galloway and Jerrell Wright each had 15. The Explorers were 12-of-17 from the line and 4-of-6 in the final minute.

UMass opened up a 17-8 lead nine minutes into the game before La Salle rode some hot outside shooting to stake a 24-21 lead with 7:54 to play in the half.

Pettis keyed the La Salle run with five 3-pointers and had 17 points as the Explorers went up 29-23 with 6:12, but was forced to the bench with his second foul shortly thereafter.

It was during that stretch that UMass tied the game at 29 and ended the half on a 10-4 run to knot the contest at 33 at the break.

The second half went back-and-forth until the Explorers took their largest lead of the contest, 60-51, on a Ramon Galloway triple with 6:08 on the clock. UMass responded with a 12-2 run over the next 2:20 to grab a 63-62 advantage.

UMass finished with a 19-7 edge in second chance points after grabbing 15 offensive rebounds. The Minutemen also got 27 points off the bench.

UMass will return to action on Tuesday night when it plays host to Xavier. Tip-off at the Mullins Center is set for 7 p.m.