University of Massachusets Athletics
Sunday, December 8
Amherst, Mass.
2 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
75
vs
72
Holy Cross
Massachusetts Takes Thriller From Holy Cross, 75-72
December 08, 2019 | Women's Basketball
Donnelly posts double-double performance, including single-game program record 10 blocks
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball freshman Maeve Donnelly had her first career double-double with 12 rebounds and a single-game program record 10 blocks, as the Minutewomen earned a 75-72 win over Holy Cross on Sunday at the Mullins Center. It is UMass' third straight win, sixth in the last seven games and fourth in a row on the home hardwood.
Â
The triumph improves UMass to 6-3 on the season, while the Crusaders fall to 4-3.
Â
Four Minutewomen turned in double-figure scoring performances in senior Vashnie Perry (career-high 20), senior Hailey Leidel (19), sophomore Destiney Philoxy (15) and junior Bre Hampton-Bey (10). Philoxy added five dimes and Hampton-Bey came up with a game-high three steals. Leidel also finished the day with 1,502 career points, jumping up two spots to No. 5 on the UMass career scoring list. Kate Mills (2004-08) is fourth with 1,525 career points.
Â
Holy Cross jumped out early, logging a 16-3 run across 7:50 of first quarter gameplay helped by eight points from Lauren Manis. The Crusaders' lead reached as much as 11 in a difficult shooting quarter for UMass, which was held to 25% (4-of-16) and 11.1% (1-of-9) from beyond the arc. Donnelly had three blocks early to spark her record-setting afternoon.
Â
Four of Philoxy's five assists came in the second period as the Minutewomen answered the slow start with a balanced attack. The squad was helped by five Holy Cross turnovers flipped into seven UMass points, and guiding the Maroon and White back within four, 36-32, at halftime.
Â
An 11-0 run midway through the third quarter gave UMass a lead it ultimately would keep for the rest of the day. Perry either scored or assisted on all five buckets during the span, which kept Holy Cross scoreless for nearly four minutes. But the Crusaders remained in the game down the stretch as the teams were separated by no more than two possessions for a majority of the final 16 minutes of regulation.
Â
Manis brought the Crusaders as close as two after going to the free throw line with 20 seconds left. With UMass taking possession tableside out of timeout and the shot clock off, Holy Cross was forced to foul three times to put the Minutewomen in the bonus before Leidel sank a pair at the line. After the Minutewomen earned a defensive stop at the other end, Leidel once again was fouled and sealed the deal with two more at the charity stripe.
Â
Donnelly's blocking performance reset the previous program-best of eight, of which Helen Freeman (March 3, 1988), Kate Mills (Feb. 27, 2008) and Nicole Jones (Jan. 20, 2010) all reached. Donnelly rejected a Manis layup in the third stanza for her ninth block of the day and then denied Manis again with 5:34 left for her 10th block of the day.
On the day, the Minutewomen were an even 50% (29-of-58) from the field and 75% (12-of-16) from the free throw line. The squad had a 38-20 edge in the paint as well as 14-8 in points off turnovers.
Â
Holy Cross, the nation's top three-point shooting team, was 43.8% (14-of-32) from downtown and 35.8% (26-of-67) overall from the field. Manis had a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Â
Massachusetts plays the second of consecutive Patriot League foes with a Wed., Dec. 11 game at Boston University. Opening tip is scheduled for 11 a.m. from Case Gymnasium.
Â
Follow UMass women's basketball on Twitter (@UMassWBB), Instagram (UMassWBB) and Facebook (UMass Women's Basketball) for the latest news and updates around the program.
Â
Â
The triumph improves UMass to 6-3 on the season, while the Crusaders fall to 4-3.
Â
Four Minutewomen turned in double-figure scoring performances in senior Vashnie Perry (career-high 20), senior Hailey Leidel (19), sophomore Destiney Philoxy (15) and junior Bre Hampton-Bey (10). Philoxy added five dimes and Hampton-Bey came up with a game-high three steals. Leidel also finished the day with 1,502 career points, jumping up two spots to No. 5 on the UMass career scoring list. Kate Mills (2004-08) is fourth with 1,525 career points.
Â
Holy Cross jumped out early, logging a 16-3 run across 7:50 of first quarter gameplay helped by eight points from Lauren Manis. The Crusaders' lead reached as much as 11 in a difficult shooting quarter for UMass, which was held to 25% (4-of-16) and 11.1% (1-of-9) from beyond the arc. Donnelly had three blocks early to spark her record-setting afternoon.
Â
Four of Philoxy's five assists came in the second period as the Minutewomen answered the slow start with a balanced attack. The squad was helped by five Holy Cross turnovers flipped into seven UMass points, and guiding the Maroon and White back within four, 36-32, at halftime.
Â
An 11-0 run midway through the third quarter gave UMass a lead it ultimately would keep for the rest of the day. Perry either scored or assisted on all five buckets during the span, which kept Holy Cross scoreless for nearly four minutes. But the Crusaders remained in the game down the stretch as the teams were separated by no more than two possessions for a majority of the final 16 minutes of regulation.
Â
Manis brought the Crusaders as close as two after going to the free throw line with 20 seconds left. With UMass taking possession tableside out of timeout and the shot clock off, Holy Cross was forced to foul three times to put the Minutewomen in the bonus before Leidel sank a pair at the line. After the Minutewomen earned a defensive stop at the other end, Leidel once again was fouled and sealed the deal with two more at the charity stripe.
Â
Donnelly's blocking performance reset the previous program-best of eight, of which Helen Freeman (March 3, 1988), Kate Mills (Feb. 27, 2008) and Nicole Jones (Jan. 20, 2010) all reached. Donnelly rejected a Manis layup in the third stanza for her ninth block of the day and then denied Manis again with 5:34 left for her 10th block of the day.
Â?? ATTENTION @TWITTER ??
— UMass Women's Basketball (@UMassWBB) December 8, 2019
Can you say *single game program record* nine blocks for Maeve?
Spoiler: yes, you can now!#FlagshipIsRising | #Flagship?? pic.twitter.com/bkLHaWm0vU
On the day, the Minutewomen were an even 50% (29-of-58) from the field and 75% (12-of-16) from the free throw line. The squad had a 38-20 edge in the paint as well as 14-8 in points off turnovers.
Â
Holy Cross, the nation's top three-point shooting team, was 43.8% (14-of-32) from downtown and 35.8% (26-of-67) overall from the field. Manis had a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Â
Massachusetts plays the second of consecutive Patriot League foes with a Wed., Dec. 11 game at Boston University. Opening tip is scheduled for 11 a.m. from Case Gymnasium.
Â
Follow UMass women's basketball on Twitter (@UMassWBB), Instagram (UMassWBB) and Facebook (UMass Women's Basketball) for the latest news and updates around the program.
Â
Postgame scenes after an absolute thriller#FlagshipIsRising | #Flagship?? pic.twitter.com/G4ee4ZeXZD
— UMass Women's Basketball (@UMassWBB) December 8, 2019
Players Mentioned
C/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballCoach Leflar on HUGE jump from year 1 to 2.
Monday, September 29
Plant the Flag with UMass WBB Coach Mike Leflar
Monday, September 29
Plant the Flag with UMass WBB Coach Mike Leflar
Monday, September 29
UMass WBB | Highlights vs Stonehill | 03.20.25
Thursday, March 20