University of Massachusets Athletics
Saturday, November 8
Amherst, Mass.
2:00 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
vs
Siena
Photo by: Chris Tucci - UMass Athletics
Women's Basketball Set To Host Siena University In Home Opener
November 04, 2025 | Women's Basketball
The Minutewomen and Saints tipoff at 2:00 p.m.
| University of Massachusetts Women's Basketball Notes & Information | |
| Matchup (Home Opener) | Massachusetts (1-0, 0-0 MAC) vs Siena (0-1, 0-0 MAAC) |
| Date | Time | Nov. 8, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Location | Amherst, Ma. | Mullins Center |
| Game Notes | Massachusetts | Siena |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Live Stats | StatBroadcast |
| @UMassWBB | |
| @umasswbb | |
| UMass Women's Basketball | |
AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts women's basketball (1-0) program sets to host Siena University (0-1) in its home opener contest on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Mullins Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., with action streamed live on ESPN+. Links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).
THE MATCHUP
- Massachusetts and Siena are set to compete in its 11th matchup, which dates back to a 66-61 Massachusetts win in the 1982-83 season.
- Massachusetts holds the 6-4 record against the Saints, as well as a 4-1 home record. Siena has the advantage on the road at 2-3.
- The last matchup between these two teams saw a tough 57-53 Minutewomen loss in Loudonville, N.Y., last season. Massachusetts looks to bounce back against the Saints with the home court advantage and take the win in Saturdays home opener.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Minutewomen secured the 58-52 win against Old Dominion University on Nov. 3, in Norfolk Va. Sophomore guard Yahmani McKayle led the Minutewomen with 14 points on the night.
- Fellow sophomore guard Ayanna Franks had a standout night as well, tallying a career-high eight rebounds in the contest to go along with nine points and four assists.
- The Minutewomen gained the advantage early in the first and did not let up for the rest of the contest, leading by as many as 18 points throughout the game and going on a 14-0 run early in the first quarter.
NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES
- The Minutewomen welcome six newcomers, featuring four freshmen.
- Massachusetts brings freshmen Anya George, Eva Hannon, Aiyanna Perkins and Brooke Pulpi into the mix for the 2025-26 season.
- Rhode Island transfer Ayanna Franks arrives to Amherst off a 3.1 points per game season, adding 1.6 rebounds in 10.7 minutes.
- Leah Bullard spent her first season at Oakland, averaging 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 8.4 minutes of action.
OLBRYS ON THE RISE
- Senior Megan Olbrys is coming off an impressive season in the Atlantic 10 last year, leading the team with career-best averages in points (14.0), rebounds (8.2), and free throws per game (.786).
- Olbrys posted eight double-doubles during the 2024-25 campaign and recorded a season-best 23 points against Loyola Chicago (2/9).
- The Norwood, Mass. native earned the A-10 Third Team All-Conference honors at the end of the 2024-25 season and received the 25-player watchlist for the 2026 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award to start the 2025-26 season.
SET FOR SUCCESS
- Allie Palmieri and Yahmani McKayle are expected to have strong campaigns for the 2025-26 season.
- Palmieri had a competitive season, averaging 12.2 points and 3.8 rebounds, and leading the Minutewomen with 32.8 minutes.
- McKayle is coming off an A-10 Rookie of the Year season. She led the Minutewomen with 110 assists, contributing an average 13.6 points and 2.9 rebounds.
- With the guard duo's explosive 2024-25 UMass debuts, the Maroon and White look for them to be large contributors.
YEAR THREE UNDER COACH LEFLAR
- Massachusetts women's basketball enters its third season under Head Coach Mike Leflar in 2025-26 after his tenure as Associate Head Coach (2021-23) and Assistant Coach (2018-21) with the Minutewomen.
- Leflar has been an integral part of building the most successful era in Massachusetts women's basketball, helping the program to its first regular-season Atlantic 10 championship this past season after the program earned its first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship in 2021-22, while adding an NCAA Tournament berth in 2022 to go along with WNIT appearances in 2021 and 2023, and 2025
- Leflar most recently worked closely with the Minutewomen forwards, including 2023 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year, Sam Breen. Under Leflar's guidance, Breen developed into one of the most decorated players in program history and earned back-to-back Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023
UP NEXT
- The Minutewomen continue with stint at home against Harvard at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Mullins Center.
- The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).
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