The Massachusetts Minutewomen (0-1, 0-0 Atlantic 10) were defeated by the Harvard Crimson (1-0, 0-0 Ivy League) 71-58 in the season opener on Monday. The Minutewomen still lead the all-time series history 14-12 over the Crimson.
UMass got off to a hot start right off the bat with Yahmani McKayle making her first career three-pointer, and it started what would be a 7-0 run for the Minutewomen. Shortly after the run by UMass, Harvard responded with a 12-0 run that would last three minutes. The Minutewomen would then hold the Crimson scoreless for the final six minutes of the first quarter and go on an 8-0 run to end the first quarter off. After the end of the quarter UMass would not take the lead back and found themselves trailing for the remaining time in the game. The Minutewomen would cut the lead down to single digits multiple times, but the Crimson had a response to every run that UMass attempted.
The Minutewomen had one player in double-figure scoring on Monday night. Allie Palmieri had a career-high 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block as the only scorer in double digits. Megan Olbrys had a career-high night with 8 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Aleah Sorrentino had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals, Chinenye Odenigbo had 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block, Momo LaClair had 6 points, Stefanie Kulesza had 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, and Lilly Ferguson had 2 points to round out all scorers for UMass.
The Minutewomen travel back home to the Mullins Center for their home opener against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 America East) on Thursday, November 7th at 6pm on ESPN+. This will be the 39th meeting between these two teams, and the Minutewomen lead the series history 22-16 against the Wildcats. This game against the Wildcats brings back UMass alum Jessica George who recently became an assistant coach at New Hampshire this offseason. Before joining the Wildcats, George spent four seasons on the UMass coach staff in different roles (Director of Scouting & Video Operations, Director of Basketball Operations, and Director of Player Development). “I think as the program we really value our alums,” said Coach Mike Leflar about how he wants alums to feel when they are visiting after having graduated. “Jess is no different in that regard. I think they feel welcomed into our program. I always want them to feel like this is home, and I want Jess to feel like this is home forever, except for the 40 minutes we are competing on a court Thursday night.”
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.
