Robinson Sparks Minutewomen's Comeback Win Over Wagner, 72-69

Dec. 19, 2010

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AMHERST, Mass. - With 11 of the team's 20 points and seven of the squad's 11 rebounds in the final eight minutes of play, sophomore Shakia Robinson helped the UMass women's basketball team rally from a 17-point deficit to defeat Wagner, 72-69 at the Mullins Center on Sunday afternoon. The win moves the Minutewomen to 2-9 on the season, while the Seahawks fall to 4-5.

Robinson shot 5-for-6 during that stretch and finished with a game-best 22 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Senior Megan Zullo chipped in with a 7-for-8 performance from the floor, totaling 18 points, which included a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range. Sophomore Jasmine Watson was the third Minutewoman in double figures with 14 points and matched a career high on the defensive end of the floor with six blocks. Sophomore Dee Montgomery handed out a personal best 10 assists and played a career-high 38 minutes, as well.

Early in the first half, UMass used a 14-2 run to race out to a 10-point lead, 14-4 with 13:52 remaining in the period. However, Wagner countered by outscoring the Minutewomen 20-4 over a stretch of 5:25 and went ahead by six, 24-18 with 7:23 on the clock. UMass hit the next three baskets to go back in front by one at the 5:42 mark, but another Seahawks' surge, a 13-3 run, closed out the period and gave Wagner a 37-28 edge at the intermission. The Seahawks shot 51.7% (15-29) in the first half, compared to the Minutewomen's 38.7% (12-for-31) and out-rebounded UMass, 22-16.

Zullo hit the first shot of the second half to close the gap to seven. However, on the next Wagner possession Marie-Laurence Archambault drained a three to give Wagner its first double-digit lead of the afternoon. Just as UMass appeared to be making headway, dropping the deficit to five with a pair of made free throws by Watson, the Seahawks rattled off the next 12 straight points to go up by 17, 54-37, with 14:53 left in regulation. Though the Minutewomen began to chip away, Kelly Clark's layup with 4:55 on the clock kept Wagner's advantage at double figures, 69-58.

That would be the final points of the game for the Seahawks, however, as UMass scored the last 14 of the contest, including nine from Robinson. A fast break layup by Robinson at 2:06 made it a one-possession game for the first time since the 3:04 mark of the first half. Then, on the team's next trip up the floor, Robinson passed up the opportunity for more fast break points, instead kicking the ball out to junior Emilie Teuscher for a wide open three that tied the score at 69. Robinson then hit what proved to be the game-winning bucket with 32 seconds to play, coming up with a crucial offensive board and tip-in shot.

The Minutewomen shot 15-for-28 (53.6%) following the intermission and finished the game 27-for-59 (45.8%), while making 6-for-12 (50.0%) from three and 12-for-21 (57.1%) at the free throw line. Wagner shot 44.3% (27-for-61) overall on the afternoon, including 35.0% (7-for-20) from beyond the arc, while making 8-of-13 (61.5%) at the charity stripe. UMass out-rebounded the Seahawks, 21-14 in the second half to finish +1 on the boards at 37-36. The Minutewomen led 34-24 in points in the paint, 13-8 in second chance points and 27-6 in bench points.

Four Wagner players scored in double figures, paced by Ashley Olsen's team-leading 16 points and 10 rebounds. Archambault followed with 15 points and five assists, while Clark added 14 points and eight rebounds. Meghan Mahoney contributed 11 points and seven assists.

The Minutewomen will be back in action on Tuesday, December 21, closing out their homestand with a game against Miami-Ohio at 7 p.m.

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