The Massachusetts Minutewomen (2-2, 0-0 Atlantic 10) defeated the Monmouth Hawks (0-4, 0-0 Coastal Athletic Association) 76-53 on Friday night in the Mullins Center. With the win against the Hawks, the Minutewomen knotted the series history between the two teams at 1-1.
The first quarter of the game on Friday night seemed like it could have been either UMass or Monmouth coming out with the win, but after the Minutewomen outscored the Hawks 23-5 in the second quarter it looked like UMass had all of the momentum going into the half. The second quarter for UMass had freshman forward Jess Ross play most of the quarter, in which she put up her first collegiate points, seven rebounds, and a block while she was on the court. Coming out of halftime, the Hawks outscored the Minutewomen 24-16, but UMass would then flip the script again and outscore Monmouth 28-12 in the fourth quarter. Over the last four and a half minutes in the game, the Minutewomen went on a 17-3 run and held the Hawks without a point for the final two minutes of the game.
UMass had three players in double-figure scoring on Friday night. Megan Olbrys posted a career-high 20 points with 5 rebounds and 3 steals, Yahmani McKayle had 17 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, and Stefanie Kulesza had 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals to round out scorers in double digits. Allie Palmieri had 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, Momo LaClair had 8 points, Jess Ross had 6 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks (all career-highs), Aleah Sorrentino had 4 points, and Lilly Ferguson had 2 points to round out all of the scorers for the Minutewomen.
UMass has their fourth game in their five-game homestand against the Holy Cross Crusaders (2-1, 0-0 Patriot League) on Wednesday, November 20th at 6pm on ESPN+. This will be the 26th meeting between these two teams, and the Minutewomen have a 14-11 lead over the Crusaders in the series history.
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 either Sports Broadcasting and Journalism or Coaching. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
