The Massachusetts Minutewomen (1-5, 0-0 A-10) lost to the Green Bay Phoenixes (3-1, 0-0 Horizon League) Thursday afternoon 85-52 on Day 1 of the Cancun Challenge. The Phoenixes take a 1-0 lead in the all-time series history.
UMass changed their line-up for the third time this season, moving Lilly Taulelei into the line-up and Bre Bellamy to the bench. The Minutewomen also had Chinenye Odenigbo and Avery Childers suit up for Thursday’s game but have not seen action yet. The Minutewomen have not seen the end of the injury bug, as Jermany Mapp went down hard in the fourth quarter with 4:25 left in the game. Mapp was then seen on the bench with her right arm in a sling. If Odenigbo and Childers are not playing quite yet for the Minutewomen, this could leave UMass with only seven healthy players. UMass will have to be careful with fouls if they only have seven healthy players. If any player(s) gets into early foul trouble, then this could leave them with a short bench possibly.
Every player who played on Thursday helped in scoring, with two Minutewomen in double digits. Stefanie Kulesza led UMass in scoring with 11 points and had 7 rebounds. Mapp rounded out the scorers in double digits with 10 points. Kristin Williams scored 9 points, Bellamy Dallas Pierce had 6 points, Tori Hyduke had 5 points and 7 assists, Taulelei had 3 points, and Lilly Ferguson had 2 points.
The Minutewomen will face #23 Washington State Cougars (6-0, 0-0 PAC-12) on Day 2 of the Cancun Challenge Friday morning at 11am. This is the first time these two teams will be meeting. The game will be available to watch on FloHoops.
Featured Image: Riley Ubben, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
