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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
3-5
Central Connecticut
2-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT 1 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 15 | 10 | 12 | 23 | 8 | 68 |
| Central Connecticut | 12 | 14 | 21 | 13 | 18 | 78 |
CCSU Gets Past Women's Hoops 78-68 in Overtime
December 12, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Box Score (PDF Box) | Season Stats (PDF Stats) | Career Stats
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - A 21-to-5 run in the fourth quarter forced overtime, but Central Connecticut State pulled away in the extra frame for a 78-68 win over the UMass women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon at Detrick Gymnasium. The Blue Devils (2-7) led by as many as 12 to start the fourth before the Minutewomen rallied with a chance to win at the end of regulation.
Alyssa Lawrence had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Cierra Dillard had 20 points sparked by a career-high five three-pointers. Eight of Lawrence's 16 points came during the fourth quarter run which gave UMass (3-5) a four-point lead before CCSU was able to force overtime.
The Blue Devils were led by Aleah Epps who had a game-high 24 points. CCSU saw five total players reach double-figures in the scoring column as Camden Musgrave had 13, TeJahne Malone had 12, Kayla Miller had 11 and Emma Stroyan added 10 points.
Central Connecticut built up a 47-37 lead at the end of the third quarter leading 26-25 at halftime. The Blue Devils used a 14-to-5 run to start the quarter highlighted by six points from Musgrave. The Minutewomen cut the lead down to six after consecutive jumpers from Lawrence, 43-37, with 2:30 remaining, but CCSU ended the quarter with four straight points.
The Minutewomen stormed back in the fourth as Lawrence's spark combined with three-straight defensive steals helped UMass build momentum during the 21-to-5 run. A pair of free throws from Alyx Stiff at the 4:57 mark tied the game, 54-54. A three-point play by Dillard 30 seconds later gave UMass its first lead since the second quarter.
CCSU briefly re-took the lead before Dillard answered with her fifth three pointer of the contest putting UMass up 60-56 with 1:25 left in regulation. The Blue Devils came back on the next possession with a jumper from Malone and then hauled down a rebound off a missed three-pointer on the next UMass possession.
That set-up the game-tying shot from Malone with three seconds to go. The Minutewomen called timeout advancing the ball to their side of the court. Rashida Timbilla inbound the ball to Dillard who got loose a three-point shot that was on target, but just short as the buzzer sounded.
In overtime, Dillard hit a pair of free throws to start the bonus session, but the Blue Devils reeled off a 10-to-1 run over the next three minutes pull away for the win.
UMass tried to extend the game with fouls, but CCSU hit 8-of-10 free throws in the final minute giving the final score.
The Minutewomen hit 24-of-52 shots in the game, including 6-of-16 from beyond the arc, but struggled at the free throw line converting just 14-of-25 attempts. UMass had 23 turnovers, while CCSU committed just 16 miscues. The Blue Devils hit 25-of-61 shots and were 21-of-28 from the free throw line.
UMass returns to action quickly with a Monday night game at Duke in Durham, N.C. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
