University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Charlotte
Women's Basketball Falls To Charlotte, 67-53
January 14, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 14, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - Freshman Kristina Danella scored in double figures for a third straight game, but it wasn't enough to help the UMass women's basketball team past Charlotte as the squad suffered a 67-53 setback to the 49ers (10-6, 1-1 A-10) in Atlantic 10 action at the Mullins Center on Wednesday evening. The Minutewomen now sit at 8-9 overall and 1-1 in the A-10 following the loss.
Danella poured in a team-high 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range, and added five rebounds. Senior Stefanie Gerardot was the only other UMass player to reach double figures with 10 in the contest and pulled down a squad-best seven rebounds, one shy of her career high. Redshirt sophomore Diatiema Hill and freshman Nicole Jones totaled six points apiece, while Jones had four boards and a career-high four steals, as well. Sophomore Cerie Mosgrove also set a career best with four steals on the night and her classmate Teya Wright registered five rebounds, four coming on the offensive glass.
The teams traded baskets through much of the opening 10 minutes of the game until three straight field goals by Charlotte gave the 49ers their largest lead of the opening period, nine, with 8:22 on the clock.
A layup by Jones at 7:02 began an 11-3 run for UMass and Gerardot capped off the spurt with a layup of her own at 2:51 to tie the score at 27. However, Charlotte came right back with a pair of threes and a layup by Erin Floyd to stretch its lead back out to eight. Danella then pulled the Minutewomen to within five with a trey to end the half, bringing the score to 35-30.
That was as close as UMass would get to overtaking the 49ers, who began the final period with a 20-6 run to build a 19-point cushion. The Minutewomen made just two field goals during that 8:05 stretch, a jumper by Hill at 17:47 and a layup by Wright with at the 16:45 mark.
Charlotte led by double figures the rest of the way. UMass scored seven straight points to pull within 12 at 8:51, but the team was unable to gain any ground on the 49ers who shot 48% from the field in the second half (12-for-25) and finished the contest 27-for-60 (45%).
The Mintutewomen were 19-for-61 overall (31.1%) on the night and 5-for-9 (55.6%) from beyond the arc.
Danielle Burgin had a game-high 21 points and 17 boards to lead the way for Charlotte, just missing a triple-double with eight blocks. Aysha Jones totaled 13 points and seven boards, while Erin Floyd posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds to go along with five assists. Traci Ray chipped in nine points, seven assists and three steals for the 49ers.
The Minutewomen will be back in action this Saturday, Jan. 17, when the squad will travel to St. Bonaventure for a 1 p.m. Atlantic 10 matchup.
