Johnson, Stukes fuel LaSalle's fast start, top UMass, 87-72

Jan 25, 2019, 11:15 am

PHILADELPHIA -- B.J. Johnson and Amar Stukes combined to score 48 points and Saul Phiri grabbed 12 rebounds to carry LaSalle past Massachusetts, 87-72 in an Atlantic 10 showdown on Wednesday night.

LaSalle ran off to a 20-point lead by intermission, 47-27, and cruised home.

The Explorers (9-12, 3-5) shot a brisk 55 percent from the field in the game, knocking down 33 of 60 shots, including 7 of 20 from long range.

Johnson was 9 of 17 from the floor and totaled 26 points while Stukes hit 8 of 9 from the field to add 22 points. Tony Washington and Isiah Deas each added 12 points while Phiri scored 10 points.

Luwane Popkins hit 6 of 10 from long range and finished with 25 points to lead UMass (10-11, 3-5). Malik Hines and Carl Pierre each added 11 points for the Minutemen.