Minutewomen Down Pace, 94-42, In Exhibition Matchup - University of Massachusetts Athletics

AMHERST, Mass. –– The University of Massachusetts made its return to Mullins Center with a dominating 94-42 victory over Pace University in an exhibition contest on Sunday. The Minutewomen controlled both sides of the court, shooting 53 percent from the field, including 48 percent from behind the arc, and generating 39 turnovers.

Ayanna Franks was a force for Massachusetts, scoring a game-high 24 points on 8-9 shooting from the field, including 5-5 from behind the arc, and added three rebounds, two assists and five steals. Yahmani McKayle (15), Aiyanna Perkins (12) and Caroline Dotsey (10) also reached double figures.

Ten of the 13 players that entered the game scored, and everyone recorded at least one rebound.

Breaking Down the Action:

Minutewomen started the scoring with a layup by McKayle at 9:19, swerving through the defense for a 2-0 lead.
Minutewomen starting with a 12-0 run, highlighted by a pair of threes from Franks and McKayle netting four points through the first four minutes of action.
The Setters snapped their scoring drought with a floater from the left baseline at 5:35 to bring the contest to 12-2.
Perkins connected from range to bring the score to 17-5 in favor of the Minutewomen with 3:29 to go in the first quarter.
Perkins made a trio of defensive plays, recording a block and two steals, leading to a layup and a pair of Kiki Scott free-throws to put UMass ahead 21-4 at 2:18.
Minutewomen forwards Alba Caballero and Kylie Sooley both buried threes capping off a UMass' 15-0 run, and bringing the lead to 29-6 after the first.
The Minutewomen started the second quarter strong with McKayle setting up for a charge, forcing the Setters to commit an offensive foul.
Pace opened the scoring in the second quarter, converting two free-throws.
Franks forcing a turnover leading to a made layup and one following with a made three at 7:49.
Minutewomen went on their third run of double-digits, finishing off a 14-0 run with 6:54 to go in the second quarter.
Franks hit her fourth trey of the game, bringing her to 20 points on 7-7 from the field with 5:38 left to play in the half, and putting UMass ahead 53-11 with under a minute remaining in the first half.
Dotsey started the offense in the second half, recording six of 10 Minutewomen points before a media timeout with 7:00 to go in the third quarter.
Aiyanna Perkins hit nothing but net from the right wing, bringing her game total to 12 and the Minutewomen lead to 73-25 with 3:41 in the third.
McKayle scored back-to-back layups before knocking down a three-pointer with 0:03 remaining in the first half, extending UMass' lead to 81-31.
Pace opened the fourth quarter with a fast-break basket off a UMass turnover and converted both free throws.
With 0:44 remaining, Sooley drew an offensive foul to help the Minutewomen close out strong defensively.

By the Numbers:
4: Four Minutewomen scored in double figures: Ayanna Franks (24), Yahmani McKayle (15), Aiyanna Perkins (12) and Carolin Dotsey (10).
13: The Minutewomen knocked down 13 three-pointers in their win over Pace.
17: The Minutewomen tallied 17 steals, fueling their defensive pressure against Pace.
24: Ayanna Franks led the Minutewomen with a game-high 24 points, shooting 8-9 from the field and 5-5 from three-point range.
54: The Minutewomen's largest lead of the game, reaching 54 points in the fourth quarter.

Up Next
The Minutewomen return to action for their regular season opener against Marshall on Monday, Nov. 2 in the Mullins Center. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

Alba Caballero

Caroline Dotsey

Ayanna Franks

Yahmani McKayle

Aiyanna Perkins

Kiki Scott

Kylie Sooley