University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Rhode Island
URI Edges Women's Basketball, 58-57
January 09, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2010
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
AMHERST, Mass. - A layup by Anisha Wilson with 33 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner as the UMass women's basketball team was unable to counter in the final seconds, falling to Rhode Island, 58-57 in the squads' Atlantic 10 opener on Saturday afternoon at the Mullins Center. The setback leaves the Minutewomen at 6-10 on the year (0-1 A-10), while the Rams level their record at 8-8 (1-0 A-10).
Sophomore Kristina Danella, who scored her 500th career point in what was just her 46th career game, finished with a game-high 16 for UMass. She completed her third career double-double with a team-leading 11 rebounds and grabbed two steals, as well.
Freshman Jasmine Watson followed with 13 points, five boards and three blocks. Senior Diatiema Hill was the third UMass player in double figures with 10 points and chipped in five rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Nicole Jones shot a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor and totaled nine points and senior Kim Benton handed out six assists.
In a first half that featured two ties and four lead changes, neither side was able to pull away. The Minutewomen held their largest margin over the Rams with 9:25 on the clock as six straight points by Danella gave the squad a 20-14 advantage. Rhode Island answered with a 10-0 run over a span of 1:53 to climb on top, 20-24, but UMass outscored URI 8-2 over the final 5:34 of the period to hold a 28-26 edge at halftime.
The Minutewomen shot 11-for-27 (40.7%) in the first half and 4-for-6 (66.7%) from three. Despite the Rams shooting 32.1% (9-for-28) and 36.4% (4-for-11) from beyond the arc in the first, 12 points off 13 UMass turnovers helped keep the Rhode Island within striking distance.
With a one-possession advantage at 43-40 with 11:30 remaining in the second period, the Minutewomen strung together a 9-4 run to take their largest lead of the afternoon, eight, at 52-44 with 7:59 to play. However, URI responded with a 12-2 run of its own to climb on top, 56-54 with 3:33 left in regulation.
Danella hit a pair of free throws with 2:20 on the clock to tie the score at 56, but turnovers on the next two UMass possessions, followed by a layup from Wilson, resulted in the Rams going back on top by two. Watson was fouled and went to the line with 10 seconds remaining for the chance to tie the score again, but managed to sink only one of her two free throws, leaving the Minutewomen at a one-point deficit.
UMass grabbed the rebound on Watson's missed free throw and sent up two shot attempts in the final seconds, but was not able to get the would-be winning basket to fall.
The Minutewomen finished 22-for-49 (44.9%) overall on the afternoon, 5-for-11 (45.5%) from three and 8-for-13 (61.5%) at the free throw line, compared to 22-for-55 (38.2%), 4-for-11 (36.4%) and 12-for-15 (80%) for Rhode Island. The Rams held a 29-11 advantage in points off turnovers and an 8-2 edge in fast break points.
Lindsay Harris was the top scorer and rebounder for URI with 14 and 11 respectively, while also chipping in six assists and four steals. Wilson tallied 11 points, four assists and five steals and Megan Shoniker and Ashley Rivera added nine points apiece.
UMass next travels to St. Louis, Mo., to face the Saint Louis Billikens on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 8 p.m.
