WILLIMANTIC, CT. (January 25, 2025) – Senior captain Emanuel Zayas (Hollywood, Fla.) scored 27 points, including five three-pointers, to lead UMass Boston (10-8, 5-5 LEC) to a 70-62 victory over Eastern Connecticut State (11-7, 3-7 LEC) on Saturday. This marks the Beacons' second win over the Warriors this season, and fourth consecutive in the past two years.
Freshman guard Raphel Laurent (Peabody, Mass.) continued his impressive rookie campaign with 16 points, six rebounds, and three steals, extending his streak of 14+ points and two or more steals to four straight games.
How it Happened:
First Half:
Zayas set the tone early, scoring eight of the Beacons' first 10 points, including a three-pointer on the opening possession. Sophomore Xavier McKenzie (Lowell, Mass.) made his return from injury, quickly tying the game with a midrange jumper. As the Beacons trailed by seven late in the half, Zayas and junior Tyler Victor (Brockton, Mass.) closed the gap, helping UMass Boston end the first half down 32-28. Zayas led the team with 10 points, followed by Laurent with six points and two steals.
Second Half: Zayas opened the second half with five straight points, including a key three-pointer, to tie the game. A pair of McKenzie free throws gave the Beacons their largest lead at six points with 6:30 remaining. The Warriors fought back to within one, but McKenzie answered with a clutch three-pointer to keep ECSU at bay. Laurent sealed the win with a layup and four free throws in the final minute, securing an eight-point victory for the Beacons.
By the Box:
- Zayas' five three-pointers tie his and Hector Perez' (Easton, Mass.) season high. In today's game, he shot 9-16 from the field, 5-8 from behind the arch, and 4-6 from the free throw line. Over the past two games, he has scored 57 points.
- Laurent finished with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, six rebounds, and three steals.
- McKenzie, in his first game back from injury, contributed seven points in 23 minutes, including a crucial three-pointer late in the game.
- UMass Boston outscored the Warriors 40-32 in the second half and edged them 15-11 in points off turnovers.
Up Next: The Beacons return home to the Clark Gymnasium on Wednesday, January 29, at 7:00 p.m. to face Western Connecticut State University in their next LEC matchup, as they look to make it three consecutive victories.
--FOR THE TIMES--
