University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
15-4,7-2MAC
Ohio
12-7,6-3MAC
Minutewomen Use Strong Second Half To Upend Ohio 85-76
January 28, 2026 | Women's Basketball
ATHENS – Ohio -- University of Massachusetts women's basketball (15-4,7-2 MAC) defeated Ohio (12-7, 6-3 MAC), 85-76, during a Wednesday night matchup at the Convocation Center.
Yahmani McKayle led the offensive unit for the Minutewomen, scoring a game-high 25 points, along with six rebounds and assists in the contest. Megan Olbrys was yet again a force on inside for UMass, netting 24 points along with 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season.
Chinenye Odenigbo in her first start back from injury netted 11 points and pulled down five boards. Lilly Ferguson chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds.
As a unit, the Minutewomen nabbed 39 rebounds, dished out 21 assists and shot a very efficient 33-of-61 (.541) from the field.
Breaking Down The Action
- Megan Olbrys started the scoring for the Minutewomen, netting the first four UMass points with consecutive layups in the first 1:30 of game action.
- McKayle knotted the game at 8 at 6:24 in the first finishing on her second straight layup.
- Olbrys went on her second 4-0 UMass run of the night to end a 10-0 Bobcat run, bringing Massachusetts within 8, 12-20, with 3:07 left in the first quarter.
- Chinenye Odenigbo finished a layup at 0:42 to bring UMass within five, 21-16.
- Olbrys and Ayanna Franks finished on consecutive possesions in the paint, bringing UMass within four, 24-20, with 7:31 remaining in the half.
- Lilly Ferguson tied the game up at 25 knocking down a three pointer from the top of the key at 6:04.
- Odenigbo and Perkins layups gave Massachusetts a 30-29 lead with 3:26 remaining in the first half.
- Ferguson connected on a baseline midrange jumper at 0:16 to bring the Minutewomen within three, 38-35, a deficit that would hold until the break.
- An Odenigbo putback layup sparked an 8-0 Minutewomen run over 1:03 of gamettime in the third quarter, putting UMass ahead 43-40 with 8:23 left in the third.
- McKayle burried a long triple at 4:22 to keep the Minutewomen in the lead, 51-49, with 4:22 in the third.
- Ferguson, Franks and a pair of Olbrys free throws fueled a brief 6-0 Minutewomen run at the end of the third, with UMass heading into the final frame with a 61-58 lead.
- Second chance buckets by Franks and McKayle, with McKayles coming from behind the arc, gave UMass a 66-58 lead with 9:29 remaining in the contest.
- McKayle burried another triple as the shot clock expired, putting Massachusetts up by double figures, 80-68, with 3:24 remaining.
- Olbrys connected a free throw to put the nail in the coffin, with Massachusetts taking an 85-76 victory.
By the Numbers
4: Minutewomen scored in double figures: McKayle(25), Olbrys (24), Odenigbo (11) and Ferguson (10)21: UMass dished out 21 assists.
39: The Minutewomen nabbed 39 rebounds.
54: Massachusetts shot 54 percent in the contest.
Up Next
The Minutewomen return home a conference matchup against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, February 4, at 6:00 p.m., on ESPN+, in Amherst, Mass. Links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).
