Feb. 7, 2009

Box Score

DAYTON, Ohio - The UMass women's basketball team erased several large deficits to pull within one possession of Dayton on multiple occasions, but could not overtake the Flyers, falling 86-65 in Atlantic 10 action on Saturday afternoon in University of Dayton Arena. Following the setback, the Minutewomen are now 9-14 overall and 2-6 in the A-10, while Dayton improves to 14-10 and 3-5 in conference play.

Freshman Kristina Danella had her third 20-point performance of the season with a game-high 20, aided by 5-for-10 shooting from three-point range. She also added six boards and two blocks. Senior Stefanie Gerardot followed with 17 points and sophomore Teya Wright had her fifth career double-double with 13 points and 14 boards, including eight rebounds on the offensive end of the court. Wright logged a game-best three steals as well. Senior Sakera Young chipped in with six points, five rebounds and four assists.

At the 16:20 mark in the first half, Danella drained a three to put UMass up by one, 10-9, but seven straight points by Dayton turned the lead into a six-point deficit for the Minutewomen less than two minutes later. A jump shot by Kristin Daugherty at 8:55 gave the Flyers their first double-digit advantage of the contest, 11, at 29-18, but UMass managed to keep things close, reeling in Dayton on several occasions. With a 13-2 run, the Minutewomen came within one point of overtaking Dayton with 5:20 on the clock. After going down by five again, Danella's three-point play capped off a 17 point half for the freshman and UMass went into the locker room down three at 41-38.

The Flyers then began the second half with a 12-4 run to rebuild their double-digit cushion and led 53-42 with 15:46 remaining. The Minutewomen refused to go quietly, though, as a 7-0 run brought the squad to within four at 53-49 and then trimmed an eight-point deficit to two with a 10-2 stretch, as the score was 63-59 with 9:39 remaining in the contest.

However it was all Dayton the rest of the way as the Flyers outscored UMass 23-6 in the remainder of the contest, with 11 points coming at the free throw line.

The Flyers shot 46.0% from the field for the afternoon (29-for-63), including 55.6% (15-for-27) in the second half, compared to UMass' 23-for-67 on the day (34.3%). From beyond the arc, the Minutewomen were 7-for-24 (29.2%) and Dayton was 6-for-19 (31.6%). At the free throw line, the Flyers shot 71.0% (22-for-31) compared to UMass' 54.5% (12-for-22).

Kendel Ross and Justine Raterman led the way for Dayton with 19 points apiece, while Raterman rounded out her double-double with 13 rebounds. Daugherty reached double figures as well with 12 points and Patrice Lalor and De'Sarae Chambers contributed nine each. Lalor had a game-high seven assists, Marie Rosche totaled eight rebounds and Casey Nance had seven rebounds.

The Minutewomen will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb.11, when the squad will have a special 11:45 a.m. tip-off for Field Trip Day, hosting Temple in the Mullins Center.