The UMass Boston men’s basketball team (5-13, 2-6 in LEC) lost at Keene State College (10-7, 4-4) by 91-81 on Saturday, January 29, squandering a five-point halftime lead to allow the Owls to avenge their 86-78 loss earlier this season.

The Beacons have lost their eighth straight game, which dates back all the way to January 6, including five conference matches. Due to the hardship without senior Roger Perry, who had scored 15.9 points per game before the break, the Beacons average scoring 79 and giving up 94, respectively.

Before the winter break, the Beacons promised to have a very good season under first-year head coach Rodney Hughes. They entered a three-game winning streak by defeating Salem State College, ranked 25th in the nation by 101-84 on December 9, and Keene State College, the latter they beat for the first time in seventeen matches.

However, plummeting from 5-5 overall record and leading Little East Conference at 2-0 last month, UMB now stands last in the eight-team conference.

Hughes said, “I think we have been playing very good games. Hopefully we will have Roger [Perry] back. We’re almost there.”

They will play two home games against first place Western Connecticut State University at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 3, and against Rhode Island College at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 5.