The Massachusetts Minutewomen (7-6, 2-0 Atlantic 10) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (6-9, 0-2 Atlantic 10) 72-55 on Thursday night. The Billikens still hold onto an 18-9 lead in the series history over the Minutewomen.
UMass started the game firing on all cylinders, and finding ways to score and grab rebounds on both ends of the court. The Minutewomen outrebounded Saint Louis thirty to twelve in the first half with sixteen of the thirty first-half UMass rebounds coming from the offensive glass. The Billikens were struggling to try and find ways to grab rebounds, and to get baskets to go in the first half, but could not figure it out.
In the third quarter, Saint Louis came out swinging and outscored the Minutewomen twenty-three to seven. The Billikens saw shots go in during these ten minutes and got the game as close as four points after having dealt with a twenty-two-point deficit towards the end of the first half. In the fourth quarter, UMass responded to Saint Louis’s third quarter with a twenty-two to nine to regain the double-digit lead and get their second win in conference play.
Saint Louis had two players in double-figure scoring on Thursday night. Shun’teria Anumele had 16 points and 4 steals; Peyton Kennedy had 11 points and 5 rebounds to round out double-digit scorers. Kennedy Calhoun had 8 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals, Tierra Simon had 6 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks, Mia Bergstrom and Hannah Wallace had 6 points each, and Marcavia Shavers had 2 points for all scorers for the Billikens.
UMass had three players in double-figure scoring on Thursday night. Stefanie Kulesza had a career-high 21 points with 12 rebounds and 3 steals, Megan Olbrys had a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Yahmani McKayle had 12 points and 4 rebounds to round out double-digit scorers. Allie Palmieri had 8 points, Chinenye Odenigbo had 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, Momo LaClair had 5 points, and Lilly Ferguson had 1 point and 6 rebounds for all scorers for the Minutewomen.
Saint Louis remains home in Chaifetz Arena to face the Davidson Wildcats (7-7, 2-0 Atlantic 10) on Sunday, January 5th at noon on CBS Sports Network. This will be the eleventh meeting between these two teams, and the Billikens have a 6-4 lead over the Wildcats.
UMass returns home to the Mullins Center to face the Richmond Spiders (10-5, 1-1 Atlantic 10) on Sunday, January 5th at 1pm on ESPN+. This is the thirtieth meeting between these two teams, and the Spiders have a 21-8 lead over the Minutewomen.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Scoreboard Thursday, January 2nd:
- The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (11-2, 2-0) defeated the George Mason Patriots (11-2, 1-1) 61-55.
- The Rhode Island Rams (7-8, 2-0) defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies (4-9, 0-2) 82-48.
- The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (7-7, 1-1) defeated the Duquesne Dukes (9-4, 0-2) 65-63.
- The Fordham Rams (7-6, 1-1) defeated the Richmond Spiders (10-5, 1-1) 80-78.
- The Davidson Wildcats (7-7, 2-0) defeated the La Salle Explorers (7-9, 1-2) 78-61.
- The Dayton Flyers (7-6, 1-1) defeated the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-5, 1-2) 83-46.
- The Massachusetts Minutewomen (7-6, 2-0) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (6-9, 0-2) 72-55.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Sunday, January 5th
- Davidson Wildcats (7-7, 2-0) at Saint Louis Billikens (6-9, 0-2) at noon on CBS Sports Network.
- Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-5, 1-2) at George Washington Revolutionaries (8-5, 1-1) at noon on ESPN+.
- Dayton Flyers (7-6, 1-1) at Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (7-7, 1-1) at 1pm on ESPN+.
- Richmond Spiders (10-5, 1-1) at Massachusetts Minutewomen (7-6, 2-0) at 1pm on ESPN+.
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks (11-2, 2-0) at La Salle Explorers (7-9, 1-2) at 2pm on ESPN+.
- Fordham Rams (7-7, 1-1) at Duquesne Dukes (9-4, 0-2) at 2pm on ESPN+.
- St. Bonaventure Bonnies (4-9, 0-2) at George Mason Patriots (11-2, 1-1) at 3pm 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.
