The Massachusetts Minutewomen (3-11, 1-1 A-10) defeated the Dayton Flyers (6-8, 0-3 A-10) 76-66 on Tuesday night in their conference home opener. The Flyers still have an advantage in the all-time series 17-14 over the Minutewomen.
In Tuesday night’s game, the Flyers got an early lead in the first quarter, but the Minutewomen found their footing in the second quarter, and UMass never looked back. The Minutewomen gained momentum for the rest of the game with the help of Lilly Ferguson, who scored the buzzer-beating layup going into the half which tied the game up at 32. Kristin Williams assured that the Minutewomen had the momentum going into the fourth quarter, by hitting a three-pointer to give UMass a three-point lead into the fourth quarter. UMass then went on a 12-0 run that included the Williams’ three at the end of the third that went to the 4:53 mark in the fourth quarter. The Flyers were held scoreless for 5:19 minutes from the end of the third quarter to the media timeout in the fourth quarter.
The Minutewomen had three players in double-digit scoring. Williams led the way with 15 points (3-7 3FG, 6-6 FT), Lilly Taulelei tied her career-high of 14 points (5-9 FG, 4-4 FT), and Stefanie Kulesza had 13 points and 8 rebounds to round out scorers in double digits. Alexsia Rose had 8 points, Ferguson and Tori Hyduke both 7 points, Bre Bellamy had 5 points, and Dallas Pierce had 3 points to round out all scorers. UMass had Mikenzie Jones make her Minutewomen debut in the first half of the game against the Flyers. With the win on Tuesday night, UMass earned a new season high as a team in scoring 76 points last night.
The Flyers had four players in double digits on Tuesday night. Arianna Smith led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds for Dayton, Destiny Bohanon had 16 points, Ivy Wolf had 13 points, and Anyssa Jones had 11 points to round out all scorers in double-digits. Mariah Perez had 6 points and Nayo Lear had 1 point to round scorers for Dayton.
Dayton returns home to UD Arena to face off against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-6, 0-1 A-10) at 12pm on Saturday, January 6th. This will be the 24th meeting between both teams, and the Flyers have a 14-9 lead over the Ramblers.
UMass continues their home stand with a rematch of the 2022-23 tournament championship against the Saint Louis Billikiens (5-9, 0-1 A-10) on Saturday, January 6th at 1pm in the Mullins Center. This will be the 26th all-time meeting, and the Billikens have a 17-8 lead over the Minutewomen.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Scoreboard Tuesday, January 2nd:
- The Massachusetts Minutewomen (3-11, 1-1) defeated the Dayton Flyers (6-8, 0-3) 76-66.
- The Rhode Island Rams (10-5, 2-0) narrowly defeated the George Mason Patriots (10-3, 1-1) 70-68.
- The Davidson Wildcats (12-1, 2-0) defeated the La Salle Explorers (3-10, 0-2) 69-50.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Wednesday, January 3rd
- Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (4-8, 1-0) at Fordham Rams (5-8, 0-2) at 11am.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (12-1, 1-0) at Richmond Spiders (11-3, 1-0) at 6pm.
- Saint Louis Billikiens (5-9, 0-1) at Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-6, 0-1) at 7pm.
- George Washington Revolutionaries (7-6, 0-1) at Saint Joseph’s Hawks (12-1, 1-0) at 7pm.
- Saturday, January 6th
- Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-6, 0-1) at Dayton Flyers (6-8, 0-3) at 12pm.
- Saint Louis Billikiens (5-9, 0-1) at Massachusetts Minutewomen (3-11, 1-1) at 1pm.
- Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (4-8, 1-0) at Rhode Island Rams (10-5, 2-0) at 1pm.
- Richmond Spiders (11-3, 1-0) at Saint Joseph’s Hawks (12-1, 1-0) at 2pm.
- Fordham Rams (5-8, 0-2) at La Salle (3-10, 0-2) at 2pm.
- Sunday, January 7th
- George Mason Patriots (10-3, 1-1) at Duquesne Dukes (7-6, 2-0) at 12pm on CBSSN.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rans (12-1, 1-0) at Davidson Wildcats (12-1, 2-0)
Featured Image: Chris Tucci, 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.
