Women's Basketball

UMass Moves to 3-0 with Tuesday Win

Tuesday's Women's Basketball Results
UMass 68, Harvard t5
Western Illinois 68, Northern Illinois 60
Story Courtesy of UMass Athletic Communications

UMass 68, Harvard 55
Box Score
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts women's basketball (3-0, 0-0 MAC) topped in-state rival Harvard University (1-2, 0-0 MAAC), 68-55, on Tuesday evening at the Mullins Center.

The Minutewomen climbed back from a six-point deficit at the end of the third to reclaim the lead, scoring 26 points while holding Harvard to 11 in the final frame.

Sophomore guard Yahmani McKayle provided 22 points on the night.

Olbrys and Palmieri also put up substantial points, with Olbrys putting up 14 points and nine rebounds and Palmieri putting up 17 points

Breaking Down The Action
  • Olbrys started the scoring for the Minutewomen with a layup in the first 13 seconds.
  • Olbrys continued with the scoring with back-to-back layups
  • Odenigbo made a layup from a pass from McKayle at 7:24
  • Franks knocked down a three from the corner at 6:15 of the first
  • Olbrys continued to add to the Minutewomen's lead by contributing a second chance layup
  • Perkins took it from the line, adding two to the tally with 2:28 left in the first
  • Massachusetts ended the first quarter 13-17
  • Odenigbo drew the foul and started the scoring for the second quarter
  • McKayle knocked down a shot from beyond the arc off a loose ball picked up from Perkins to tie the game at 17 apiece
  • McKayle hit her second consecutive triple to pull UMass ahead 20-17
  • Harvard went on a small 5-2 run to take a 29-22 lead
  • Olbrys helped bring us within five points of Harvard with a layup early in the third
  • Palmieri contributed three consecutive tallies, with a three-pointer from the top of the arc and two jumpers
  • Harvard continued to capitalize, keeping the Minutewomen at a five-point deficit
  • Odenigbo stole the ball from the Crimson's Wright, taking it down the floor giving Palmieri two free throw opportunities
  • With Palmieri's pair of free throws and a layup from Olbrys, UMass came back within two
  • McKayle continued the effort of pulling ahead by hitting another three with 4:10 left in the quarter
  • The Minutewomen and Crimson headed into the final quarter with Harvard leading 44-42
  • McKayle opened the fourth with a three pointer 30 seconds in, marking her fourth triple of the game
  • Palmieri took advantage of a personal foul from Karlee White to put down two free throws putting the Minutewomen up for the second time in the match
  • Odenigbo also contributed a layup to sustain the lead
  • McKayle found the three from the corner at 6:46 adding to the 52-48 lead
  • Massachusetts went on a 29-11 run to end the fourth quarter, putting the Minutewomen up 68-55 to end the contest.
By The Numbers
3: Three Minutewomen recorded double digits in the afternoon - McKayle (22), Palmieri (17), Olbrys (14).
5: Ayanna Franks dished out a career-best five assists.
10: Chinenye Odenigbo pulled down 10 rebounds, tying a career-high.
13: The Minutewomen's largest lead of the game recorded in the final seconds of the fourth.
24: The number of points recorded off the paint during the contest.