AMHERST – The UMass Minutewomen basketball team (2-3, 0-0 A-10) fell in a tight 75-70 game to their Western Massachusetts rival, Holy Cross (1-4, 0-0 CAA) on Wednesday evening at the Mullins Center.
In a contest that featured six lead changes and times locked in a tie, Holy Cross’ proficiency from beyond the arc proved too detrimental in big moments– lending them the extra edge for their first win of the season.
Stefanie Kulesza and Megan Olbrys led the squad with 14 points apiece. Kulesza garnered the first baskets for the Minutewomen, leading them to a game-high 10-0 run in the first quarter. The senior notched 10 rebounds while shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. Olbrys notched double figures for the third consecutive game, recording eight rebounds and one steal on 6-of-11 shooting from the field.
Guard Allie Palmieri and Forward Aleah Sorrentino fell closely behind, combining for 23 points. Palmieri shot 6-of-8 from the free-throw line, while Sorrentino went 4-of-7 from the field goal, coming up in big moments to keep UMass in the game.
Breaking Down the Action
- Kulesza got Massachusetts on the board first at 9:47.
- Kulesza banked a pair of layups after the Crusaders scored baskets, making it 4-3 early in the first quarter.
- After Holy Cross took the lead, Kulesza continued her strong play, completing a second-chance jumper to tie the contest at 6-6 with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter.
- The teams traded baskets until Alead Sorrentino hit a jumper to lend UMass back the tie at 2:57.
- UMass furthered its momentum, continuing a 10-0 run to complete the first quarter, 18-13.
- Massachusetts continued its strong offense, scoring first in the second quarter on a second-chance layup by Olbrys at 9:03.
- Holy Cross added two baskets of its own, lessening UMass’ lead to four points before Lily Ferguson’s jumper at 8:27 made it 22-16.
- The Crusaders added back-to-back threes for a tie 22-22 game with 6:21 remaining in the first half.
- After trading baskets, Holy Cross took back the lead with 3:53 remaining, 27-25.
- Ferguson made a layup off the Crusaders’ turnover with 55 seconds remaining, putting UMass just two points behind Holy Cross, 32-30.
- Olbrys went 2-of-2 from the free-throw line to finish the first half, making it a tie 32-32 game heading into the locker room.
- The Minutewomen struck first to start the second half, with Allie Palmieri scoring back-to-back free throws for a 34-32 UMass lead at 9:23.
- The Crusaders answered with free throws of their own before Yahmani Mckayle’s driving layup granted Massachusetts the lead back with 8:37 remaining in the third, 36-34.
- Sorentino extended a 6-0 run, garnering two back-to-back layups to give UMass a six-point advantage at the 5:35 media timeout.
- Holy Cross answered back to make it another two-point game before Sorrentino keyed a 6-0 run for a 48-40 lead with 2:16 remaining in the third quarter.
- Olbrys added a three-pointer in the waning seconds of the third quarter, as the score read 52-46 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
- The Crusaders struck first in the fourth quarter, sinking back-to-back three-pointers to make it a tie 52-52 game with 9:10 remaining.
- Olbrys banked in a layup to grant Massachusetts a two-point advantage before Holy Cross splashed another three to give them a 55-54 lead at 7:20.
- The teams traded baskets and leads before the Crusaders’ clutch three-point shooting gave them a 61-58 lead with 5:04 remaining in the game.
- Mckayle’s layup and free-throw brought UMass back to a tie 63-63 game with 3:00 left.
- Holy Cross hit two shots late to lend them a 67-63 lead with 1:41 on the clock.
- Olbrys added a driving layup to her stat line, putting Massachusetts within six points of the lead at 00:17.
- Despite baskets from Kulesza and Mckayle in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter, Holy Cross won by a 75-70 final score.
By the Numbers
- 4: Four Minutewomen reached doubles figures in Olbyrs (14 points), Kulesza (14 points), Palmieri (12 points), and Sorrentino (11 points).
- 6: The teams were locked in a tie and changed leads six times.
- 10: Kulesza grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds across the contest, tallying her first double-double of the season.
- 10: UMass’ largest run was 10-0, garnered in the first quarter.
- 14: Olbrys and Kulesza led the Minutewomen with 14 points apiece.
- 20: Massachusetts added 20 points off Holy Cross’ turnovers.
- 42: The Minutewomen combined for 42 rebounds, controlling a 42-30 rebounding advantage.
- 44: Of UMass’ 70 points were scored in the paint, as opposed to the Crusaders’ 24 points.
UP NEXT
- The Minutewomen host the Army in their next game on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Mullins Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
- The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, and links and live updates will be available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).
