University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Hartford
Women's Basketball Falls To Hartford, 68-52
November 26, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 26, 2005
Box Score | Photo Gallery
AMHERST, Mass. - Erica Beverly had game-highs of 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Hartford women's basketball team (3-0) to a 68-52 win over Massachusetts (1-3) Saturday afternoon at the Mullins Center. The Minutewomen led 45-41 with just over eight minutes remaining, but were outscored 27-7 the rest of the way. Sophomore Pam Rosanio (Southampton, Pa.) led UMass with 15 points while sophomore Kate Mills (Elkton, Md.) tied her career-high with 14 points.
Both teams started off slowly as it was just 2-2 at the first media timeout 4:04 into the start of the game. UMass then had a four-point lead, 12-8, with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Hartford came right back, however, with two straight baskets and a free throw to take a one-point lead and force UMass to call a timeout. Senior Patrycja Gulak (Olsztyn, Poland) made a pair of free throws to put the Minutewomen back up a point with 6:41 l;eft. It marked UMass' first points in almost four and a half minutes. Consecutive UMass baskets upped the run to 6-0 and forced the Hawks to call a timeout down 18-13 with 5:38 left. UMass continued the run and led 20-13 before a free throw by Hartford's Katie Kelley stopped the run at 8-0 with 3:57 left in the first half.
The teams exchanged baskets for the last few minutes of the first half and UMass took a 25-21 lead into the break. The Minutewomen shot 36 percent from the field in the first half and held the Hawks to a 24 percent clip. Both teams grabbed 22 rebounds. UMass had nine turnovers while Hartford committed seven. Rosanio led all scorers with 10 points, while junior Tamara Tatham (Brampton, Ontario) pulled down seven boards. She had six points as well. UMass had seven assists on its nine field goals.
The Hawks started the second half on a 7-2 run and re-took the lead 28-27 with just under 17 minutes left. The next several minutes saw one tie and eight lead changes. UMass trailed by three points, 41-38 with 10 minutes left before two straight baskets by Tatham and Rosanio gave it the lead back at 42-42. A three-pointer by Nelson then gave UMass a 45-41 lead, but the Hawks came right back to tie the game. The Hawks then extended their lead to four points at 52-48 with 5:24 left in regulation. It was then a six point-game, 56-50, when UMass called a timeout with 4:27 left.
Hartford continued to dominate on both ends of the floor as the Minutewomen went ice cold during the final five minutes. UMass had six turnovers in the final five minutes and Hartford was able to make its free throws to preserve the win.
The Hawks shot 55 percent in the second half en route to 47 points. They finished the game shooting 39 percent from the field. UMass was 38 percent from the field. The Minutewomen were out-rebounded 45-43 and had 17 turnovers. Hartford had just 10 turnovers. The Minutewomen were 14-for-26 (.538) from the free throw line while Hartford was 14-for-19 (.737). The Hartford bench also outscored the UMass bench 25-6.
There were nine ties and 14 lead changes in the game.
Rosanio got her 15 points on 5-for-11 shooting from the field and 5-for-8 from the free throw line. Mills had six rebounds and three blocks to go along with her 14 points. Tatham also added 10 points and eight boards. She was 5-for-9 from the field.
For Hartford Danielle Hood also had 11 points while Ikea Witt added 10.
The Minutewomen continue their season-long, three-game homestand Tuesday night against Siena. Tip-off at the Mullins Center is slated for 7:00 PM. The game will be broadcast on WMUA, 91.1 FM, in Amherst and online at www.umassathletics.com. For tickets, please call the Athletic Ticket Office at 1-866-UMASS-TIX. Fans can also purchase tickets at the Mullins Center Box Office or online at www.umassathletics.com.
