The Massachusetts Minutewomen (6-6, 1-0 Atlantic 10) defeated the Fordham Rams (6-6, 0-1) 78-61 in the opening of conference play on Sunday afternoon. The Minutewomen extend their lead in the series history to 28-23 over the Rams.
From the start, UMass seemed to have had its foot on the gas pedal. The Minutewomen held the lead for over thirty-five minutes in the game and only trailed Fordham for a minute and a half of the forty minutes played. The Rams had Taylor Donaldson come off of the bench in this matchup, and she found a way to provide a spark for Fordham during important stretches of the game. Allie Palmieri helped UMass jump-start the lead with thirteen of her thirty-one points in the first quarter. Chinenye Odenigbo helped to continue the Minutewomen’s momentum in the second half with eight of her fourteen points and five of her eight rebounds coming during the second-half stretch.
UMass had four players in double-figure scoring on Sunday afternoon. Palmieri had a career-high 31 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals, Chinenye Odenigbo had 14 points and 8 rebounds, Megan Olbrys had 12 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, and Stefanie Kulesza had 10 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds to round out double-digit scoring. Yahmani McKayle had 5 points, Aleah Sorrentino had 4 points, and Momo LaClair had 2 points to round out all scorers for the Minutewomen.
Fordham had two players in double-figure scoring on Sunday afternoon. Donaldson had 25 points and 3 steals, and Emma Wilson-Saltos had 10 points and 4 rebounds for all scorers in double digits. Anastasjia Veljovic had 9 points and 4 rebounds, Irene Murua had 8 points and 9 rebounds, Chae Harris had 7 points and 6 assists, and Precious Omoshola had 2 points to round out all scorers for the Rams.
Fordham returns home to face the Richmond Spiders (10-4, 1-0 Atlantic 10) on Thursday, January 2nd at 6:30pm. This is the 26th meeting between these two teams, and the Spiders have a 15-10 lead over the Rams in the series history.
UMass hits the road to face the Saint Louis Billikens (6-8, 0-1 Atlantic 10) on Thursday, January 2nd at 8pm ET. This is the 27th meeting between these two teams, and the Billikens have an 18-8 lead over the Minutewomen in the series history.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Scoreboard Sunday, December 29th:
- The Davidson Wildcats (6-7, 1-0) defeated the Duquesne Dukes (9-3, 0-1) 76-70.
- The Rhode Island Rams (6-8, 1-0) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (6-8, 0-1) 83-63.
- The Massachusetts Minutewomen (6-6, 1-0) defeated the Fordham Rams (6-6, 0-1) 78-61.
- The Richmond Spiders (10-4, 1-0) defeated the Dayton Flyers (6-6, 0-1) 55-37.
- The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (10-2, 1-0) defeated the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (6-7, 0-1) 70-62.
- The George Washington Revolutionaries (8-5, 1-1) defeated the La Salle Explorers (7-8, 1-1) 65-54.
- The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-4, 1-1) defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies (4-8, 0-1) 57-40.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Thursday, January 2nd
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks (10-2, 1-0) at George Mason Patriots (11-1, 1-0) at noon on ESPN+.
- Rhode Island Rams (6-8, 1-0) at St. Bonaventure Bonnies (4-8, 0-1) at 1pm on ESPN+.
- Duquesne Dukes (9-3, 0-1) at Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (6-7, 0-1) at 6pm on ESPN+.
- Richmond Spiders (10-4, 1-0) at Fordham Rams (6-6, 0-1) at 6:30pm on ESPN+.
- Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-4, 1-1) at Dayton Flyers (6-6, 0-1) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- La Salle Explorers (7-8, 1-1) at Davidson Wildcats (6-7, 1-0) at 7pm on ESPN+.
- Massachusetts Minutewomen (6-6, 1-0) at Saint Louis Billikens (6-8, 0-1) at 8pm on ESPN+.
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.
