PLYMOUTH, NH - UMass Boston Men's Basketball extended their winning streak to seven games, the program's longest since the 1984-85 season, with an 92-73 victory over Plymouth State University on Saturday afternoon to round out their two-game road trip. Freshman guard Xavier McKenzie continued his impressive freshman campaign with a career-high and team-leading 31 points and eight rebounds in the contest.
 
THE BASICS
 
UMass Boston 92, Plymouth State 73
 
UMass Boston (11-3, 4-1 LEC)
 
Plymouth State (6-8, 0-6 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Beacons had their foot on the gas pedal from the opening tip-off, jumping out to a 13-0 lead on the Panthers in the first 6:11 of the game. The team's leading distributor, sophomore guard Emanuel Zayas, and its leading scorer, senior forward Malik Lorquet, connected early with a pair of Zayas assists helping Lorquet to four quick points.
 
Lorquet would finish the game with 27 points and 15 rebounds, his 11th double-double of the season and his second game with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds, respectively. He is one of just three players in NCAA DIII to record 11 double-doubles this season, ranking second in the nation currently with Emerson's Jarred Houston after Saturday.
 
Despite the hot start, Plymouth State would hang in the game with UMass Boston, cutting their lead to eight at the half, 40-32.
 
In the second half, it was the Beacon's outstanding freshman, McKenzie, who led the way with 21 points after the break. McKenzie, who has attempted the most free throws on the team outside of Lorquet, took advantage of 16 trips to the charity stripe, converting 11 of them on his way to a game-best 31 points.
 
Saturday marked the first 30-point game of McKenzie's young career. The two-time Little East Conference Rookie of the Week ranks in the top three on the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
 
The Beacons' 52-point second half was more than enough to put Plymouth State away for their fourth conference win and their seventh straight win overall with a 19-point victory,92-73. 
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Adding 15 more rebounds to his career total, Malik Lorquet moves 91 rebounds away from tying the all-time program record of 788 set by Terry Kennedy
• The team's seven game winning streak is the second longest in program history, only falling short of their eight game streak in the 1984-85 season
• The Beacons needed just three three-pointers on 11 attempts, both season lows, to post a season-high of 93 points
• For the second game in a row, the Beacons did not trail for the entire 40 minutes of game time
• The Beacons improved their all-time record against the Panthers to 12-16

 
WHO'S NEXT
 
UMass Boston will return home to the Clark Athletic Center this Wednesday to host UMass Dartmouth in a Little East Conference matchup scheduled to tip off at 7:30 PM. Last season the Beacons lost both matchups to the Corsairs by double-digit margins.