PREGAME

The UMass team is pondering staying tonight in Philly in fear of the impending weather. I'm considering doing the same.

The current La Salle athletic department's staff has done a nice job trying to dree up Tom Gola arena, but it's still the worst venue in the Atlantic 10.

FIRST HALF

15:20: La Salle 12, UMass 3 - This game has the look of a really ugly one for UMass.

11:42: La Salle 19, UMass 10 -  UMass isn't playing any defense.

3:59: La Salle 38, UMass 26 -  The Minutemen seem energyless. Ricky Harris is on the bench with two fouls, both charges.

0:00: La Salle 46, UMass 29 - My early prediction of ugly appears to be on track. La Salle leads 28-14 on the glass. The Explorers have turned nine offensive rebounds into eight points.

HALFTME

14:34: La Salle 59, UMass 39 - Kellogg started Gibbs, Gurley and Correia in the second half over Lowe, Harris and Bonner.

9:29: La Salle 72, UMass 54 - The Minutemen haven't thrown in the towel, but they're forced to gamble which has led to some easy basket for the Explorers.

FINAL: It's little consolation for the Minutemen, who lossed a critical game, 97-88, but they made a heck of a comeback to keep from getting blown out.