University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
17-5,9-2MAC
Northern Illinois
5-19,2-10MAC
Minutewomen Defeat Huskies In Away Matchup, 75-54
February 10, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Megan Olbrys records 500th career rebound
AMHERST, Mass. – Massachusetts women's basketball (17-5, 9-2 MAC) defeated Northern Illinois (5-19, 2-10) 75-54 on Tuesday afternoon at the Convocation Center.
Senior Forward Megan Olbrys kept busy in the matchup, recording 16 points, 11 rebounds and four steals. Olbrys has registered at least three steals in six consecutive games and has recorded a career-high four in back-to-back contests. This matchup against the Huskies also saw a new milestone for the forward, reaching 500 career rebounds as a Minutewoman.
Sophomore Guard Yahmani McKayle was also a commanding presence on the floor during the night game, with 21 points and seven assists, going 71.4% from beyond the arc. Graduate Guard Allie Palmieri chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds, and Lilly Ferguson added seven points and five rebounds off the bench.
Breaking Down the Action
- The Minutewomen started the action, with McKayle tossing one in from beyond the arc.
- The Minutewomen went on a small 9-2 run led by Olbrys with four points
- Odenigbo added another two points with a layup at 6:50
- A turnover from NIU's Laccen gave McKayle possession, sending it to Olbrys for the finish
- McKayle nabbed the ball in the defensive court bringing it up the floor for two
- Ferguson added the layup and got sent to the line to get three points with 2:20 left in the first quarter.
- Franks capped off the first quarter with a free throw, giving the Minutewomen a 10-point lead, 19-9.
- The Minutewomen continued the defensive effort into the next quarter, with a layup from Ross 32 seconds in
- NIU got back into it, putting themselves within eight, but McKayle quickly put UMass back into a ten-point lead with another layup.
- McKayle sent the ball to Olbrys for a layup at 5:07
- The Minutewomen came out of timeout with a bang, with McKayle knocking down a shot beyond the arc in three seconds
- Ferguson quickly followed with a layup at 3:36
- Franks received the past from McKayle, shooting a three pointer to finish the Minutewomens half, 33-25.
- The Minutewomen continued the offensive effort into the second half, with Palmieri putting a jumper in 27 seconds in the third quarter
- After a missed layup from Palmieri, Olbrys grabbed the rebound and tossed it in.
- The Huskies went on a quick offensive burst, going on a 9-0 run to put them within three of the Minutewomen
- In response, the Minutewomen went on a run of their own, going 14-2 with two three-pointers from McKayle
- The Minutewomen finished the first leg of the second half 51-36
- McKayle made her fifth three-pointer of the night, going 71.4% at the top of the arc to start the final quarter
- Palmieri added another two points at 8:56
- A defensive rebound from Olbrys got Perkins to capitalize on a layup, putting the Minutewomens lead to 20.
- The Minutewomen and Huskies trade off in the final quarter, but in the end the Huskies are unable to close 21-point lead, ending the matchup 75-54
By The Numbers
3: Three Minutewomen had double-digit points on the night – McKayle (21), Olbrys (16), and Palmieri (12).
4: Four steals were recorded by two different Minutewomen -- Olbrys and Franks. This is Olbrys' sixth consecutive game with three or more steals.
24: The Minutewomens largest lead of the game.
40: Forty of Massachusetts points were recorded in the paint.
500: Olbrys recorded her 500th career rebound against the Huskies.
Up Next
The Minutewomen return home for the second matchup of the season against Miami (OH) for Play4Kay on Saturday, Feb. 14. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter)
