.png&type=webp)
University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
0-6
East Carolina
3-3
Hot Start Lifts ECU Over Women's Basketball, 97-83
November 28, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 28, 2010
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The UMass women's basketball team outscored East Carolina in the second half and shot 57.1 percent from the field, but could not overcome an early first period deficit, falling 97-83 at the Pirate Invitational on Sunday afternoon at Minges Coliseum. Following the setback, the Minutewomen are now 0-6 on the season, while ECU levels its record at 3-3.
In what was the Minutewomen's best offensive performance of the season thus far, sophomore Shakia Robinson poured in 30 points, aided by 13-of-19 shooting, in 32 minutes on the floor. She hauled in a game-high eight rebounds, including five offensive boards. The 30 points not only marked a career high for Robinson, but was the first 30-point game by a UMass player since Jen Butler had 31 against Temple on Jan. 6, 2003.
Senior Cerie Mosgrove equaled her career high with 19 points, which included a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line, while also setting a new personal best for rebounds with eight. Adding a spark off the bench, freshman Abbey Lalime had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. Senior Megan Zullo, UMass' representative on the all-tournament team, was the fourth Minutewoman in double figures with 10 points and handed out four assists, as well.
The Pirates sprinted out to an 8-0 lead from the opening tip and then used a 22-8 stretch over 4:01 to race out to their largest lead of the half, 40-16, with 7:18 remaining in the period. UMass trimmed its deficit to 13 with 1:39 left in the half, but ECU scored seven more points before heading into the locker room with a 55-38 advantage. The Pirates shot 22-for-37 (59.5%) in the period, including 8-for-18 (44.4%) from three-point range.
East Carolina gradually pushed its lead back out to 24 in the second half as Ashley Clarke drained a three at the 5:20 mark that made the score 90-66. UMass scored 17 points over the next 4:26 to pull with in 11 of the Pirates, but ran out of time to complete the comeback.
The Minutewomen finished the contest 31-of-61 (50.8%) from the floor and 16-for-21 (76.2%) at the free throw line, while out-rebounding ECU, 42-30. The Pirates shot 36-for-68 (52.9%) overall, 13-for-28 (46.4%) from three and made 12-of-19 (63.2%) at the charity stripe.
Leading five players in double figures for East Carolina, Allison Spivey had 16 points, Clarke contributed 15 points and eight assists, Chareya Smith and Kelly Smith each had 12 points and Kim Gay added 11 points and a team-leading five rebounds.
UMass will return home for its next contest as the squad will take on Brown in the Mullins Center on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.
