Women's Basketball Drops 57-53 Decision to Siena

Loudonville, N.Y – The Minutewomen (2-5, 0-0 A-10) fought until the bitter end, falling short to Siena (2-4, 0-0 MAAC) on Sunday afternoon 57-53.

Megan Olbrys put together another career day for the Minutewomen, tallying a career-high 21 points in addition to 11 rebounds on 9-10 shooting from the field for her first double-double of her three-year career.

Point guard Yahmani McKayle also hit double figures in the scoring column for UMass, totaling 13 points. McKayle added two assists and two steals on the day.

Breaking Down the Action

Megan Olbrys got off to a hot start to open play, scoring the first six of the Minutewomen's eight points in the first quarter.
Chinenye Odenigbo hit two free throws at the line, securing a 10-5 lead to end the opening 10 minutes.
Both teams traded makes from behind the arc to open the second quarter, with Stefanie Kulesza hitting her first of the day from range.
The three-point shootout continued, as Yahmani McKayle hit back-to-back triples answered by an Aniya Hooker three to make it a 19-16 game in favor of UMass.
Consecutive baskets by Olbrys extended the Minutewomen's lead back to five with 3:13 remaining.
UMass would take its largest lead of the game qith 1:47 left in the half, as Momo LaClair finished a setup from Aleah Sorrentino.
Siena came out of the halftime break scoring two baskets to cut the Massachusetts lead to two points.
A 9-0 run by Siena was broken up by Olbrys, finishing a euro step layup to bring UMass back in rhythm.
Back-to-back layups from Olbrys, followed by a three by LaClair tied the game at 39 apiece with 2:16 left in the third quarter.
A jumper by Aniya Hooker that was later changed to a three-point shot after review would send the Minutewomen into the fourth quarter down one.
After a quiet opening three minutes to the final period of regulation, McKayle broke the ice with a layup off diving plays from Kulesza and Olbrys.
Olbrys and Teresa Seppala would trade layups as Seppala converted the and-one play to cut UMass' lead to one.
Siena would put together a five-point swing, taking a 53-48 lead with 1:52 left in regulation.
Allie Palmieri and McKayle would each convert baskets in the closing moments, but Massachusetts was unable to overcome the clock as Siena secured a 57-53 decision.

By the Numbers

40: UMass out-rebounded Siena 40-27 on the glass.
61.7: The Minutewomen held the lead for 61.7% of the game.
28: points were scored in the paint for Massachusetts.
21: Megan Olbrys tallied a new career-high 21 points.
13.3: UMass' defense held Siena to 13.3% shooting from the field in the first quarter, allowing only five points in that span.

UP NEXT

The Minutewomen host Northeastern Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Mullins Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
The game will be broadcasted on NESN with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).

Scoreboard

Next Event

Team Stats

Megan Olbrys

Yahmani McKayle

Momo LaClair

Stefanie Kulesza

Players Mentioned

Stefanie Kulesza

Momo LaClair

Yahmani McKayle

Chinenye Odenigbo

Megan Olbrys

Allie Palmieri

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics