.png&type=webp)
University of Massachusets Athletics
Wednesday, February 18
Amherst, Mass.
6:00 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
vs
Toledo
Photo by: Chris Tucci - UMass Athletics
Women's Basketball Set For Road Matchup Against Central Michigan
February 19, 2026 | Women's Basketball
| University of Massachusetts Women's Basketball Notes & Information | |
| Matchup | Massachusetts (18-6, 10-3 MAC) vs Central Michigan (16-9, 10-4 MAC) |
| Date | Time | Feb. 21, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Location | Mount Pleasant, Mich. | McGuirk Arena |
| Game Notes | Massachusetts | Central Michigan |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Live Stats | SideArm Stats |
| @UMassWBB | |
| @umasswbb | |
| UMass Women's Basketball | |
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball (18-6) travels to face conference foe Central Michigan (16-9) at 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+ in Mount Pleasant, Mich. at the Mullins Center. Links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).
THE MATCHUP
- Massachusetts and Central Michiganwill meet for the fourth time in program history, with the Chippewas holding a 2-1 lead in the all-time series history.
- The two teams first met on Nov. 10, 2013 as the Minutewomen fell to the Chippewas105-61 on the day. UMass and Central Michigan last met on Jan. 10, 2025, with the Minutewomen claiming a 74-72 victory.
- Massachusetts women's basketball (18-6, 10-3 MAC) fell to Toledo (14-10, 8-5) 60-52 on Wednesday night at the Mullins Center. Despite a strong defensive showing for the Minutewomen, offensive difficulties proved to be too much to overcome.
- Megan Olbrys led the way for the Minutewomen, recording her seventh double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. It marked the third 20-point double-double of the season for Olbrys. Yahmani McKayle and Allie Palmieri chipped in 12 points each, with McKayle securing four steals and knocking down three triples, and Palmieri dishing out four assists and adding four steals.
- Chinenye Odenigbo did a bit of everything for the Minutewomen on the defensive end, blocking four shots and attaining four steals.
- The defensive unit shined for UMass, opening the game by forcing Toledo into four consecutive turnovers before registering its first shot. The Minutewomen again forced the Rockets into four consecutive turnovers to open the second half and drew three charges in the contest.
- A late 12-0 run for Toledo from 5:13 until 1:07 in the fourth quarter cemented the win for the Rockets. Toledo held UMass to 18-of-63 (28.6 percent) from the field, marking the first time since Nov. 23, 2024 against Army (.254; 14-of-55) the Minutewomen shot under 30 percent from the field.
- The Minutewomen welcome six newcomers, featuring four freshmen.
- Massachusetts brings freshmen Anya George, Eva Hannon, Aiyanna Perkins and Brooke Pulpi into the mix for the 2025-26 season.
- Rhode Island transfer Ayanna Franks arrives to Amherst off a 3.1 points per game season, adding 1.6 rebounds in 10.7 minutes.
- Leah Bullard spent her first season at Oakland, averaging 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 8.4 minutes of action.
OLBRYS ON THE RISE
- Senior Megan Olbrys is coming off an impressive season in the Atlantic 10 last year, leading the team with career-best averages in points (14.0), rebounds (8.2), and free throws per game (.786).
- Olbrys posted eight double-doubles during the 2024-25 campaign and recorded a season-best 23 points against Loyola Chicago (2/9).
- The Norwood, Mass. native earned the A-10 Third Team All-Conference honors at the end of the 2024-25 season and received the 25-player watchlist for the 2026 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award to start the 2025-26 season.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- UMass is dishing out 16.7 assists per game, good for third in the MAC and 39th in the country.
- The team ranks third in the MAC in turnovers per game (19). The Minutewomen also rank third in assists per game (16.7), scoring margin (9.6) and blocks per game (3.35) and fourth in rebounds per game (39.2).
YEAR THREE UNDER COACH LEFLAR
- Massachusetts women's basketball enters its third season under Head Coach Mike Leflar in 2025-26 after his tenure as Associate Head Coach (2021-23) and Assistant Coach (2018-21) with the Minutewomen.
- Leflar has been an integral part of building the most successful era in Massachusetts women's basketball, helping the program to its first regular-season Atlantic 10 championship this past season after the program earned its first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship in 2021-22, while adding an NCAA Tournament berth in 2022 to go along with WNIT appearances in 2021 and 2023, and 2025
- Leflar most recently worked closely with the Minutewomen forwards, including 2023 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year, Sam Breen. Under Leflar's guidance, Breen developed into one of the most decorated players in program history and earned back-to-back Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023.
UP NEXT
- The Minutewomen return home to Amherst, Mass. to host the Golden Flashes on Feb. 25 for second matchup against Kent State.
- The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter)
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballPlant The Flag; WBB Stretch Run With Coach Mike Leflar
Thursday, February 19
UMass WBB | Post Game Press Conference vs Toledo | 02.18.26
Wednesday, February 18
UMass WBB | Post Game Press Conference vs Miami (OH) | 02.14.26
Saturday, February 14
UMass WBB | Broadcast Highlights vs Miami (OH) | 02.14.26
Saturday, February 14