Story Courtesy of UMass Athletic COmmunications
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The University of Massachusetts women's basketball team (1-1, 0-0 MAC) outlasted Providence, 60-50, in Alumni Hall on Saturday afternoon. The Minutewomen used strong defensive pressure to force 23 turnovers and turn those opportunities into 27 points, building a lead as large as 16 points in the fourth quarter.
UMass established an early advantage, taking a 19-12 lead into the second quarter behind a 7-0 scoring run. Providence battled back in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to two at halftime, 26-24. The Friars tied the game early in the third, but the Minutewomen responded and carried a 41-34 advantage into the final period.
The Minutewomen opened the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Yahmani McKayle, to extend their lead to 51-35. Providence attempted to close the gap late, but UMass held on to secure the 60-50 victory.
Aiyanna Perkins led Massachusetts with 14 points, while McKayle added 12 and Chinenye Odenigbo finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Jess Ross recorded a team-high 10 rebounds, and Ayanna Franks contributed nine points and four assists. UMass finished with 40 rebounds, including 22 offensive boards, and recorded 14 steals in the contest.
Breaking Down the Action:
- Providence opened the scoring with a jumper from Princess Moody at 9:14.
- Massachusetts responded with a 7-0 run, with baskets from Odenigbo, Perkins and Dotsey, and forcing four turnovers to take a 7-2 advantage with 5:35 to play in the first quarter.
- Franks nabbed a steal and went coast-to-coast, heading straight to the basket through contact, drawing the foul and converting both free throws to extend UMass' lead to 9-4 at 4:15.
- Franks added another jumper, accounting for the Minutewomen's last four points.
- Derkack buried a triple from beyond the arc at 2:32, extending the Minutewomen's advantage to 16-9.
- Another Franks steal set up a Ross and-one on the offensive end, pushing UMass' lead to 19-10 with 1:12 remaining in the opening quarter.
- Kylah Silver converts a layup with 10 seconds remaining, closing out the first-quarter scoring for Providence.
- UMass forced another Providence turnover, with McKayle hitting a cutting Perkins for a fast-break layup at 7:58 to give the Minutewomen their largest lead of the game at 23-14.
- The Minutewomen continue to set the tone defensively, forcing 11 turnovers and converting those opportunities into 17 points. UMass also limited Providence to just 14 shot attempts with 5:08 remaining in the second quarter.
- A Rodrigues layup with 0:04 brought Providence within two, capping off a 12-3 run to end the half with Massachusetts holding a 26-24 lead.
- Providence opened the second half by knocking down a jumper at 8:33 to even the score at 26-26.
- McKayle answered for the Minutewomen, knocking down a trey from beyond the arc regain the lead for Massachusetts, 29-26.
- Gormley finisheed a fast-break opportunity with a layup, bringing the Friars within one at 31-30, with 5:52 to play in the third.
- A pair of Perkins free-throws and putback by Dotsey extending UMass' lead to 35-30 with 4:53 left in the third quarter.
- Perkins scored in the paint at 2:07, and just 19 seconds later, Franks forced a turnover that lead to a layup, extending the Massachusetts lead to 39-32.
- Ross capped off the third-quarter scoring with a turnaround jumper at 0:15, extending UMass' lead to 41-34 heading into the final quarter.
- The Minutewomen open the fourth quarter with a spark, as McKayle capitalized on a Providence turnover and knocked down a three-pointer at 9:18.
- A 7-0 run highlighted by McKayles second triple of the quarter ballooned the lead to 49-35 for UMass.
- The Minutewomen close out the game at the free-throw line, securing a 60-50 victory over Providence and an impressive road win.
