University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Boston University
Women's Basketball Bested By Boston University, 82-75
January 02, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2009
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
AMHERST, Mass. - For a second straight game, the UMass women's basketball team shot above 50% from the field, but the result was the same as against Seton Hall earlier in the week as the Minutewomen fell to Boston University, 82-75, in the Mullins Center on Friday evening. UMass closes out its four-game home stand, falling to 6-7, while the Terriers level their record at 6-6.
Senior Stefanie Gerardot's had her fourth 20-point game of the season for the Minutewomen as she poured in 23 on 9-for-13 shooting and chipped in five rebounds. Redshirt sophomore Diatiema Hill followed with 15 points as she went 6-for-12 from the field on her way to a new career high. Sophomore Teya Wright just missed a double-double with nine points and 10 boards, while senior Sakera Young had eight points and six assists and sophomore Valerie Avebe added five rebounds.
BU led from the opening moments, beginning the contest with a 5-0 lead courtesy of two buckets by Kristi Dini. Down by five with 17:38 to go in the first, UMass strung together eight straight points to take its first and only lead of the game at 13-10.
The Minutewomen were on top for just over a minute when a three by Dini sparked a 19-6 run by the Terriers, giving BU a 32-19 advantage with 8:16 remaining in the first.
UMass' seven-point halftime deficit proved to be the difference in the game as the squad played even with Boston University in the final period with each side managing 36 points after the intermission.
The Minutewomen reigned in the Terriers early in the second half, cutting their deficit to two with a layup by Young at the 14:11 mark, which capped off an 8-0 UMass run. BU expanded its lead out to double figures once more before the Minutewomen made one last gasp at a comeback. A layup by sophomore Stephanie Lawrence with 3:38 to play made it a one possession deficit for UMass, but Boston University sunk clutch free throws in the final minutes to cement the victory.
The Minutewomen shot a season-best 54.5% from the field (30-55) and made 54.5% of their shots (6-for-22) from three-point range. The Terriers managed 49.1 shooting percentage and were 10-for-4 (41.7%) from beyond the arc.
Dini, aided by 18 points in the first half and 6-for-13 three-point shooting, led BU in scoring with 23, while Jesyka Burks-Wiley followed with 21 points and completed her double-double with 10 rebounds. Aly Hinton and Amarac Umez-Eronini also reached double figures with 10 points apiece. Umez-Eronini added six rebounds and seven assists, as well.
With just two games remaining before conference play, UMass will next travel Chestnut Hill, Mass., to face Boston College this Sunday, Jan. 4. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. in Conte Forum.
