University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Jacksonville
Minutewomen Downed By Jacksonville, 72-68
November 23, 2007 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 23, 2007
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Despite 22 points from Kate Mills (Elkton, Md.) and 20 points from Pam Rosanio (Southampton, Pa.), UMass women's basketball (2-2) fell to Jacksonville (4-1) by a score of 72-68 at the East Carolina Lady Pirate Invitational in Greenville, N.C. on Friday night. Alisha Tatham (Brampton, Ontario) added 10 points for UMass. Jacksonville's Ashley Williams led all scorers with 28 and Regina Omoite added 17. The Minutewomen will now face the host Pirates (1-4) on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Mills scored her 22 on 9-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-2 from long-range, but was limited to 25 minutes by foul trouble. Rosanio was 6-of-9 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. The Minutewomen shot 53.2 percent (25-47) for the game, while Jacksonville shot 37.1 percent (26-70). The Dolphins however, out-rebounded UMass, 38-30, and hit seven three-pointers to UMass' three. The teams committed a combined 48 turnovers (27 by UMass) and 40 fouls (23 by UMass).
The Minutewomen used a 10-0 run to turn a 6-6 tie into a 16-6 lead with 12:32 left in the first half. A Kim Benton (Springfield, Pa.) three-pointer capped off the run and led to a Jacksonville timeout. UMass was dealt a blow however, when leading-scorer Mills was called for her third foul with 14:23 left and was forced to sit for the remainder of the half.
Jacksonville used that to its advantage, outscoring UMass 22-6 over the final 8:03 of the half. The Dolphins held the Minutewomen to two field goals over that stretch to take a 32-28 lead into the locker room.
Rosanio led UMass with 12 points in the first half, while Jacksonville's Williams led all scorers with 17. The Minutewomen shot 52.4 percent (11-21) to the Dolphins' 31.4 percent (11-35).
The teams traded baskets for the early portion of the second half. Jacksonville didn't widen its lead by any more than five, while UMass tied the game on several occasions, but couldn't take the lead.
UMass finally took the lead, 57-55, on short jumper in the lane by Sakera Young (Glassboro, N.J.) with 6:07 left. The Dolphins took the lead back, but Mills' baseline jumper with 2:25 left put the Minutewomen up, 63-62. A long jump shot from the wing by Tatham widened the lead to three, but Jacksonville outscored the Minutewomen 10-3, including a three each by DaVina Hamilton and Omoite, down the stretch to pull out the victory.
UMass will now face host East Carolina, who lost to Winthrop, 66-61, at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Minges Coliseum. Jacksonville will go on to play Winthrop in the tournament championship at 8 p.m.
