University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
12-3,4-1MAC
Akron
3-14,0-5MAC
Career Days Push Minutewomen Past Akron, 82-68
January 14, 2026 | Women's Basketball
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts women's basketball (12-3, 4-1 MAC) defeated Akron (3-14, 0-5 MAC), 82-68, during a Wednesday afternoon matchup at Mullins Center.
The Minutewomen used a 28-point first quarter and three career-high performances to cruise past the Zips. In the absence of Chinenye Odenigbo, Jess Ross and Lilly Ferguson stepped up for UMass, each pouring in career high 13 points. Yahmani McKayle dished out a career-high 11 assists.
Five Minutwomen reach double-figures, as Allie Palmieri, McKayle, Ross, Ferguson and Olbrys netted 16, 15, 13, 13 and 13, respectively. It marks the first time Jan. 29, 2025, that five Minutewomen scored in double figures.
As a unit, UMass dished out 25 assists, nabbed 36 rebounds and buried eight triples in the contest, shooting an efficient 35-of-71 (.493) from the field and 8-of-24 from behind the arc (.333).
Breaking Down The Action
- Megan Olbrys netted the first points for the Minutewomen, knocking down a triple from the right wing to put UMass on the board first, 3-0, 50 seconds into the game.
- McKayle and Ferguson finished at the rim on consecutive possessions to regain the lead for UMass, going up 7-6 with 6:53 left in the first.
- McKayle hit nothing but net on her first two treys of the night, extending the UMass lead to 13-6 with 5:32 to play in the first quarter.
- Palmieri connected on a smooth step-back baseline jumper to extend the Massachusetts lead to 17-11 with 3:48 to play in the opening frame.
- McKayle broke down her defender with a hesitation dribble before scooping a pass to a waiting Olbrys for the easy finish, making the contest 19-12 in favor of the Minutewomen with three minutes left in the first.
- Jess Ross and Olbrys connected on consecutive jumpers to force an Akron timeout at 1:49 with UMass holding on to a 23-12 lead.
- Palmieri splashed her first triple of the night to extend the lead to 28-14 for the Minutewomen at the end of the opening quarter.
- Lilly Ferguson connected on consecutive baskets at the rim pushing her total to eight on the day, pushing the UMass lead to 34-18 at 8:03 in the second.
- Ross buried a three from the left wing, then finished through contact at the rim to put UMass up 43-30 with 1:37 remaining in the first half.
- Ross followed her own miss and finished strong to set a career-high in points at nine, while also giving the Minutewomen a 45-32 lead with 8:28 to play in the third.
- McKayle found Palmieri in transition who knocked down her second triple of the afternoon to extend the UMass lead to 52-36 with 6:04 left to play in the third.
- Ferguson entered double-figures with a putback layup at 4:10 in the third to keep UMass ahead 57-39.
- Consecutive fast break layups put the UMass lead to over 20, going up 63-41 with 2:19 to play in the third.
- Ayanna Franks buried a triple from the right wing to put Massachusetts up 67-48 at 9:42 in the final quarter.
- The Minutewomen went on a 7-0 run over a span of two minutes with Palmieri finishing two layups and McKayle connected from long range to put UMass up 80-54 with 3:53 remaining in the game.
- Akron tried mounting a late comeback, but the lead was too large to overcome as the Minutewomen took an 82-68 victory.
By the Numbers
5: Minutewomen scored double figures: Palmieri (16), McKayle (15), Ross (13), Ferguson (13) and Olbrys (13).8: Triples the Minutewomen knocked down.
11: Yahmani McKayle set a career high in assists with 11.
13: Jess Ross and Lilly Ferguson set career highs in points with 13.
25: UMass dished out 25 assists.
36: The Minutewomen nabbed 36 rebounds.
Up Next
The Minutewomen return on the road for a conference matchup against Buffalo on Saturday, January 17, at 1:00 p.m., on ESPN+, in Buffalo, N.Y. Links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).
