BOSTON, MA (December 7th, 2024)  The home finale of the 2024 calendar year at the Clark Athletic Center has concluded in favor of the UMass Boston Beacons as they defeated the Warriors of Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU). The game was a hard fought Little East Conference matchup that came down to the final minutes, ending with a score of 77-70 for another Beacons' W. 

The Basics  

Final Score: UMB 77 - 70 ECSU 

UMass Boston: 5-2 (2-1) 

ECSU: 6-2 (0-2) 

How It Happened 

• The opening tip-off went in favor of ECSU and they led the early minutes of the contest until UMass Boston obtained the lead at the 16:40 mark, which they held onto for the remainder of the contest. 

• Time in the first half came to an end with a block by the Warriors, however the period ended with the Beacons leading 37-29. 

• Steal. Basket. Steal. Basket. Steal. Basket. The second half opened in competitive defensive fashion as UMass Boston gained possession several times due to the quick hands and anticipation by the Beacons. This series of events increased the Beacons' lead and resulted in the largest of the afternoon, a 13-point cushion. 

• The Warriors kept fighting despite their rocky start and were able to cut the lead down to only 3 points on two occasions during the period. The Beacon's sensed the desperation on their heels as they upped their defensive intensity and controlled the offensive rhythm. 

• The Beacon's outperformed the Warriors in several areas on the stat sheet, these including: Points off turnovers (19 for UMB, 16 for ECSU), fast break points (16 for UMB, 2 for ECSU), and points in the paint (38 for UMB, 34 for ECSU). 

• Finally, the shooting numbers were no different. UMB shot a perfect 100% from the free throw line, 35.3% from beyond the 3-pt line, and 48.4% from the field. 

By the Box Score 

• Reigning LEC Rookie of the Week, Cameron Perkins (Danbury, Conn.) once again led the offensive charge for the Beacons with an efficient 20 points on 6-10 FG shooting (2-4 3PT, 6-6 FT), to go with a whopping seven "stocks" (steals+blocks: 3 steals, four blocks, both career-highs.) and a team-high nine rebounds.  

• In 35 minutes of action for sophomore guard Xavier McKenzie ("X") (Lowell, Mass.), he slashed his way to 16 points on 7-16 shooting and three steals. 

• Junior guard Hector Perez (Easton, Mass.) was one point shy of his season-high, adding 14 points on a highly efficient 5-7 shooting, including 100% from downtown (2-2), and from the charity stripe (2-2 FT).  

•  Senior captain Emanuel Zayas (Hollywood, Fla.) once again was the bank teller for the offensive, dishing out a team-high four dimes to go with his nine points and three steals.  

Who's Next? 

• Next up is the final game prior to the winter school break, when the Beacons of UMass Boston will travel to the "Zoo" in Amherst, Massachusetts, for an away game against the Minutemen of UMass Amherst. Keep your ears open, your eyes focused and your beacon's lit for a highly anticipated matchup in the battle of the UMasses.  

• Stay tuned for game preview and information. 

Written by John P. Rosata