University of Massachusets Athletics
Friday, February 26
Kingston, R.I. (Ryan Center–URI)
7:30 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
10-6,6-5Atlantic 10
69
vs
72
VCU
12-9,10-4Atlantic 10
1
2
3
4
F
VCU
15
19
21
17
72
Massachusetts
16
19
16
18
69
Photo by: Drew Adames-URI Athletics
VCU Outlasts Minutewomen, 72-69
February 26, 2021 | Women's Basketball
Massachusetts closes within one point of Rams in final minute of regulation
KINGSTON, R.I. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball whittled an 11-point fourth quarter deficit down to just one in the final minute, but the Minutewomen would get no closer as the squad fell to VCU, 72-69, on Friday night at the Ryan Center. The game marked UMass' return to game action following a 26-day gap dating back to Jan. 31.
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Four Minutewomen scored double figures, led by a career-high 20 points from freshman Ber'Nyah Mayo on 8-of-12 from the floor. Senior Sam Breen had 19 points, junior Destiney Philoxy added 14 and sophomore Sydney Taylor contributed 12 points in the loss. Breen also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for her league-leading 11th double-double of the season.
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Taylor logged four steals and Philoxy handed out four assists, while sophomore Maeve Donnelly recorded one block. It also marked Donnelly's first start of the season.
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VCU built up a 62-51 lead with 7:55 remaining in the game, on the heels of a 12-1 run. From there UMass countered with its own 12-4 stretch, getting back within one possession in the final four minutes. Mayo capped the run with 3:45 left on a transition layup, a play that began with a crucial defensive rebound by classmate Makennah White.
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The Minutewomen finally closed within one at the 35 second mark when Philoxy found Mayo with a perfect bounce pass underneath the hoop, leaving the score at 70-69 in favor of VCU. Though Taya Robinson sank a pair of free throws for VCU on the ensuing possession, UMass had one final chance to send the game to overtime, but Breen's triple would not fall as time expired.
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The first three quarters were back-and-forth almost all along with 13 ties and 19 lead changes being recorded.
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Massachusetts (10-6, 6-5 Atlantic 10) plays next in a Sun., Feb. 28 game at 4:30 p.m. vs. Richmond at the Ryan Center. In conjunction with the final A-10 game of the regular season, the program will host Maddie Sims Day in recognition of Sims' leadership and contributions to the team over the past two seasons. The afternoon will include a pregame presentation as well as various tributes to the graduate student across the @UMassWBB social media accounts.
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Follow UMass women's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UMassWBB).
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Four Minutewomen scored double figures, led by a career-high 20 points from freshman Ber'Nyah Mayo on 8-of-12 from the floor. Senior Sam Breen had 19 points, junior Destiney Philoxy added 14 and sophomore Sydney Taylor contributed 12 points in the loss. Breen also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for her league-leading 11th double-double of the season.
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Taylor logged four steals and Philoxy handed out four assists, while sophomore Maeve Donnelly recorded one block. It also marked Donnelly's first start of the season.
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VCU built up a 62-51 lead with 7:55 remaining in the game, on the heels of a 12-1 run. From there UMass countered with its own 12-4 stretch, getting back within one possession in the final four minutes. Mayo capped the run with 3:45 left on a transition layup, a play that began with a crucial defensive rebound by classmate Makennah White.
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The Minutewomen finally closed within one at the 35 second mark when Philoxy found Mayo with a perfect bounce pass underneath the hoop, leaving the score at 70-69 in favor of VCU. Though Taya Robinson sank a pair of free throws for VCU on the ensuing possession, UMass had one final chance to send the game to overtime, but Breen's triple would not fall as time expired.
Â
The first three quarters were back-and-forth almost all along with 13 ties and 19 lead changes being recorded.
Â
Massachusetts (10-6, 6-5 Atlantic 10) plays next in a Sun., Feb. 28 game at 4:30 p.m. vs. Richmond at the Ryan Center. In conjunction with the final A-10 game of the regular season, the program will host Maddie Sims Day in recognition of Sims' leadership and contributions to the team over the past two seasons. The afternoon will include a pregame presentation as well as various tributes to the graduate student across the @UMassWBB social media accounts.
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Follow UMass women's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UMassWBB).
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Team Stats
VCU
UMass
FG%
.433
.424
3FG%
.313
.320
FT%
.652
.786
RB
40
32
TO
13
13
STL
5
7
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
C/F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
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