University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Harvard
Minutewomen Fight, But Fall To Harvard, 72-60
January 06, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2010
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AMHERST, Mass. - Despite outscoring Harvard in the second half, the UMass women's basketball team was unable to overcome an early 17-point deficit and dropped its non-conference finale, 72-60, on Wednesday evening at the Mullins Center. The Minutewomen fall to 6-9 on the year following the setback, while the Crimson moves its record to 8-4.
Sophomore Nicole Jones led all scorers with 22 points for UMass, aided by 7-for-12 shooting, and collected five rebounds and two steals. Her classmate Kristina Danella scored in double figures for a fifth consecutive game with 19 points to go along with seven rebounds and two steals.
In her first collegiate start, freshman Jasmine Watson logged a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass. Senior Kim Benton dished out a career-best seven assists and grabbed six boards, while Diatiema Hill totaled six rebounds.
Aided by an 8-of-9 start from the field, Harvard raced out to a 21-4 lead with 13:28 left in the first half. Then with a free throw and a layup from Jones and a three from Danella, UMass scored the next six straight and went on a 25-12 run over a span of 8:39. Danella's three free throws at 4:17 brought the Minutewomen to within four at 33-29. However, the Crimson closed out the half with 13 unanswered points and went into the intermission with a 46-29 advantage. Harvard shot 17-for-28 (60.7%) in the opening period, including 10-for-17 (58.8%) from three-point range.
After going down by as many as 21 early in the second half, UMass fired up its offense and out-scored Harvard 21-4 over a 10:40 stretch that began with a free throw by Jones at 17:44. Just as in the first half, Danella sunk two at the line to close the gap to four, 58-54 with 7:04 remaining. The Minutewomen were unable to draw any closer, though. The Crimson responded with seven straight points to help ice the victory.
Harvard shot just 2-for-10 (20%) from three in the second half and 10-for-33 (30.3%) overall, but still finished the night above 40% in both categories at 12-for-27 (44.4%) and 27-for-61 (44.3%), respectively. UMass shot 20-for-63 (31.7%) overall, 2-for-17 (11.8%) from three and 18-for-25 (72.0%) at the free throw line.
The Minutewomen out-rebounded the Crimson, 46 to 33, led in points in the paint, 30-16, and second chance points, 13-3. Harvard held a 18-6 edge in points off turnovers.
Brogan Berry led the Crimson with 16 points and seven assists, while Emma Markley and Christine Matera added 14 points apiece. Matera also brought down a squad-best nine rebounds and had four blocks and three steals. Victoria Lippert was just shy of double figures with nine points.
UMass will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 9, when the Minutewomen will kick off Atlantic 10 play against rival Rhode Island at the Mullins Center. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.
