University of Massachusets Athletics
Monday, November 2
Amherst, Mass.
6:00 PM
University of Massachusetts
vs
Marshall
November 01, 2026 | Women's Basketball
| University of Massachusetts Women's Basketball Notes & Information | |
| Matchup | Massachusetts (0-0, 0-0 MAC) vs Marshall (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) |
| Date | Time | November 2, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. |
| Location | Amherst, Mass. | Mullins Center |
| Game Notes | Massachusetts | Marshall |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Live Stats | SideArm Stats |
| @UMassWBB | |
| @umasswbb | |
| UMass Women's Basketball | |
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball (0-0) opens the 2026-27 campaign against Marshall (0-0) at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN+ in the Mullins Center. Links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).
THE MATCHUP
- Massachusetts and Marshall will meet for the first time in program history.
- When facing an opponent for the first time, UMass has an 87-100 overall record.
- Massachusetts last defeated a first-time opponent on February 10, 2026, cruising past then-MAC opponent Northern Illinois, 75-54.
- Last season the Minutewomen posted a 3-1 record against first-time opponents, picking up victories over Florida Atlantic on December 19, Akron on January 14 and NIU. It marked the first time since the 2022-23 season Massachusetts won matchups against inaugural opponents, when the Minutewomen bested Arizona State (88-64), Drake (100-83), Loyola Chicago (76-59) and UAlbany (73-48).
- Sophomore point guard Yahmani McKayle had a strong inaugural season in the Mid-American Conference for the Minutewomen. The Queens, N.Y. native averaged 16.4 points per game (3rd MAC), 5.2 assists (3rd) and 3.0 rebounds on .384/.343/.909 shooting splits.
- McKayle set career-highs in points (28 at Kent State (1/3/26)), assists (11 vs Akron (1/14/26)) and steals (7 vs Buffalo (3/7/26)) last season. For her play, McKayle was named to the All-MAC First Team.
- The junior guard was selected to the All-MAC Preseason First Team for the 2026-27 campaign, marking the second straight season she has garnered the honor, being named to the Second Team last year.
- Last season, Massachusetts had one of the best defensive units in the Mid-American Conference. The Minutewomen held opponents to just 60.3 points per game (second best in the MAC), .380 percent from
- the field (2nd), .282 percent from three (1st), 18.6 turnovers forced per game (4th), 3.50 blocks per game (3rd) and 9.61 steals per game(4th).
- Individually, Chinenye Odenigbo ranked tied for second in the conference in blocks per game (1.5) and Ayanna Franks ranked tied for second in steals per game (2.6).
- Massachusetts boasts nine players 6-foot-tall or taller, making for one of the tallest teams in the conference. The Minutewomen have an average height of 5'9.6", and stacked head to toe make up nearly 90 feet – roughly two-and-a-half times taller than the average telephone
- pole.
- The Minutewomen travel to for an out of conference matchup against Providence on November 7.
- The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter)
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballSunday, October 25
Thursday, May 28
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