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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Holy Cross
Women's Basketball Beats Holy Cross, 64-55, In Home Opener
November 20, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 20, 2005
Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery
AMHERST, Mass. - Sophomore Pam Rosanio (Southampton, Pa.) had 15 points and tied a career-high with nine rebounds to lead the Massachusetts women's basketball team (1-1) to a 64-55 win over Holy Cross (1-1) Sunday afternoon at the Mullins Center. Senior Katie Nelson (Ellicott City, Md.) and sophomore Alisha Tatham (Brampton, Ontario) each added 11 points. For Tatham, it was a career-high.
Laura Aloisi hit a three-pointer right off the bat just 24 seconds into the start of the game, but Holy Cross went ice cold after that. Senior Ashley Sharpton (Conyers, Ga.) nailed a three-pointer on the other end and that started a 15-0 UMass run in the next 7:19. The Crusaders finally ended their drought when Kaitlin Foley made a lay-up and was fouled at the 10:49 mark. She made the free throw and UMass led 15-5. UMass out-rebounded Holy Cross 15-1 during the run.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first half. The Crusaders took advantage of five straight minutes without any UMass points and cut into the lead. The Crusaders used an 8-1 run to make it a 16-13 game with just under six minutes remaining. Consecutive baskets by Rosanio ended the scoring drought and gave UMass an eight-point lead with five minutes left in the first half. Holy Cross came right back, however, with a quick 7-0 run in less than a minute to make it a 21-20 game. The Minutewomen closed out the half on an 8-3 run and took a 29-24 advantage into the lockeroom at halftime. UMass shot 33 percent from the field in the first half while Holy Cross shot at a 25 percent clip. Sharpton and Rosanio led all scorers with nine points apiece.
With the Minutewomen leading 38-35 under 14 minutes remaining in the game, UMass created some distance with an 8-0 run in the next 3:58 to take a 46-35 lead. Freshman Stefanie Gerardot (Fort Wayne, Ind.) capped the run with her first career basket. The Crusaders came back with a quick 8-0 run to cut the UMass lead to 46-43 with just under seven minutes left.
The two teams traded baskets for the next few minutes. A basket by Alisha Tatham gave UMass a 59-55 lead. Sophomore Kate Mills (Elkton, Md.) then came up with a block at the other end and after Rosanio made a pair of free throws, UMass took a six-point lead with under a minute left. UMass made another defensive stop on the Crusaders and made its free throws in the final 23 seconds to secure the win.
UMass shot 38 percent from the field for the game while Holy Cross shot 26 percent. UMass had just 13 turnovers while the Crusaders committed 19.Holy Cross held a slim 41-40 edge in rebounding and the Minutewomen had 15 assist on their 21 field goals.
Rosanio scored her 15 points on 5-for-14 shooting. The nine rebounds tied her career-high. She also had four assists. Nelson had three assists with her 11 points and did not commit a turnover. Junior Tamara Tatham (Brampton, Ontario) added eight points, 11 boards and four assists while Mills finished with eight points and four blocked shots.
Shannon Bush led Holy Cross with 20 points. Kaitlin Foley added 13 points and 11 boards.
The Minutewomen will head right back on the road for their third game in six days on Tuesday at Eastern Michigan. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM and the game will be broadcast live on WMUA, 91.1 FM in Amherst and online at www.umassathletics.com.
