University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Xavier
Minutewomen Fall Short At Xavier, 51-39
January 26, 2008 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 26, 2008
CINCINNATI - Kate Mills (Elkton, Md.) and Pam Rosanio (Southampton, Pa.) scored 14 points each and the UMass defense held Xavier to 28.6% shooting, but it wasn't enough, as the Minutewomen (9-10, 1-3 A-10) fell to the Musketeers (14-6, 4-1 A-10), 51-39, on Saturday night at the Cintas Center. Mills also grabbed nine rebounds and Whitney McDonald (Ossining, N.Y.) added eight boards. Jerri Taylor led the Musketeers with 16 points. UMass played Xavier, who had entered the night tied for second-place in the Atlantic 10, tough throughout, as the lead changed hands eight times.
UMass held the defending A-10 champ's much-heralded inside duo of 6-5 Amber Harris and 6-6 Ta'Shia Phillips to 12 combined points, but UMass' shooters had trouble finding the mark as well, as the clubs posted matching shooting stats of 14-for-49 (28.6%). The Musketeers held the advantage in rebounds, 41-35.
UMass took an 8-6 lead on a Mills jumper with 13:44 left in the opening half. The Minutewomen defense started strong, holding the Musketeers to 2-for-11 shooting up to that point. After six-straight Xavier points, UMass went on a 9-2 run over 6:23 to take a 17-14 lead with 4:11 left in the first. Maureen Hester scored the final five points of the half to give Xavier the lead, 19-17, at halftime.
Mills led the way in the first half with five points and eight rebounds, while the Minutewomen shot 28.0% (7-25). Xavier was led by Hester's eight points, while the Musketeers were held to 16.7% (5-30) shooting. UMass held a 23-21 advantage on the glass in the opening 20 minutes.
Mills started the second half with two quick baskets to give UMass a 21-19 lead, but Xavier responded, outscoring the Minutewomen, 21-7, over the next 9:39, with the help of four 3-pointers, to take a 41-28 lead with 9:05 remaining. Mills and Rosanio combined to outscore the Musketeers, 10-6, over a 6:04 span to pull UMass within eight, 46-38, with 2:30 left. Xaviers defense clamped down however, and held the Minutewomen to one point for the remainder of the game.
The Minutewomen return to action on Wednesday, when they host Fordham at the Mullins Center. Tip-off is slated for 11:45 a.m. as it will be Field Trip Day.
