Minutewomen Defeat Akron In Final Road Game Of Regular Season

AKRON, Ohio – Massachusetts women's basketball (22-6, 14-3 MAC) defeated Akron (7-23, 4-13 MAC), 74-64, on a Wednesday night contest at James A. Rhodes Arena. Despite a 29-point third quarter for the Zips, a strong UMass performance down the stretch was too much for Akron to overcome.

The Minutewomen were led by Yahmani McKayle, who had a game high 25 points on an efficient 9-18 from the field, to go along with four rebounds and two assists. Megan Olbrys added 12 points, six boards and two blocks, and Lilly Ferguson shot a perfect 4-4 from the field to post nine points in 25 minutes off the bench.

UMass opened the game on a 10-2 run in a contest they never trailed. The Zips stormed back in the third quarter, hitting seven three-pointers and posting 29 points, but the early Minutewomen lead was too much to overcome.

UMass shot 51.9 percent from the field, marking the second-consecutive game Massachusetts has shot over a 50 percent clip. It is the second time this season, UMass has shot over 50 percent in back-to-back games.

Breaking Down the Action

Minutewomen started the action going on a 10-2 run, with Olbrys leading the offensive effort with five points.
Olbrys nabbed the second chance layup at 2:54
Palmieri added two more points, making the Minutewomens score double than Akron, ending the first quarter 14-7.
The Minutewomen and the Zips come into the second quarter hot, trading possession in quick succession, with Massachusetts getting six points in under two minutes
The Minutewomen went 3:28 without scoring int the second quarter, and then turned on the offensive drive, going on an 11-3 run led by McKayle with six points, ending the half 31-17
Palmieri started the scoring for the Minutewomen with a shot beyond the arc 27 seconds into the second half
After a free throw from Franks, Palmieri made it three points with a layup and one more at the line.
Ferguson nabbed a layup at 6:39
McKayle made the three pointer off a pass from Ferguson at 5:19
After a free throw from Franks, Palmieri made it three points with a layup and one more at the line.
Ferguson nabbed a layup at 6:39
McKayle made the three pointer off a pass from Ferguson at 5:19
Ferguson dished out another layup with 3:37 left in the third quarter
Akron went on a 10-0 run, making a comeback within two points of the Minutewomen
Minutewomen went on a 6-0 run to pull ahead of the tie Akron set early in the final quarter
The Minutewomen and Zips trade possession, but Akron is unable to push ahead, ending the final match, 74-64.

By the Numbers

4: The Minutewomen collected four blocks on the night— Olbrys (2), Odenigbo (2)
13: Massachusetts dished out 13 assists in offensive effort
23: Yahmani McKayle nabbed 25 points during the contest
51.9: The Minutewomen shot 51.9 percent from the field against the Zips.

Up Next

The Minutewomen return home to honor seniors in their last regular season matchup against Buffalo, March 7. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).

Scoreboard