PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Raphiael Putney scored 17 points and Chaz Williams made the game-winning layup with 8 seconds left to help Massachusetts edge La Salle 61-60 Wednesday night and snap a three-game losing streak against the Explorers.
Williams finished with six points, six assists and six rebounds for UMass, which improved to 6-1 on the road. Maxie Esho chipped in 11 off the bench for the Minutemen. His dunk with 4:30 left to play put UMass (14-5, 4-2 Atlantic 10 Conference) ahead 57-54.
La Salle held UMass to two points over the next 3 12 minutes and took a 60-59 lead on Tyreek Duren’s layup with 38 seconds remaining. But Williams converted his game-winner on the Minutemen’s ensuing possession.
Jerrell Wright and Ramon Galloway had 16 points apiece for La Salle (14-6, 4-3), which made 25 of 29 shots but got outrebounded 37-32. UMass turned 14 offensive boards in 15 second-chance points.
