Nov. 18, 2006

Box Score

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. -- Massachusetts (4-0) scored the final 12 points of the game as it defeated Seton Hall (2-2), 70-61, to win the Aeropostale Seton Hall Basketball Classic. Junior Kate Mills (Elkton, Md.) was named the tournament's MVP after scoring a game-high 22 points despite playing the entire second half in foul trouble. Junior Pam Rosanio (Southampton, Pa.) was also selected to the All-Tournament team after finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds. UMass is now 4-0 for the first time since the 1988-89 season.

Both teams came out on fire as it was 12 -8 UMass five minutes into the start of the game. Seton Hall then went on a little run to take 16-12 lead, but the Minutewomn responded with a 14-2 run to establish a 26-18 lead with 6:50 left in the first half after junior Whitney McDonald (Ossining, N.Y.). converted an old-fashioned, three-point play.

Seton Hall came right back, however, and used a 9-1 run in the next three and a half minutes to tie the game at 27. UMass however, never gave up the lead and took a 33-29 lead into halftime.

UMass shot 52 percent (12-23) from the field in the first half, but committed 12 turnovers. The Minutewomen were 3-of-5 (60 percent) from three-point range and held a 17-14 edge on the glass. Seton Hall shot 43 percent (13-30) in the half and were 0-for-9 from three-point range.

UMass increased its lead to seven points after a pair of free throws by Mills at the 14:24 mark, but Seton Hall came right back with consecutive baskets to make it a 44-41 game. Sophomore Stefanie Gerardot (Fort Wayne, Ind.) drained a huge three-pointer from the corner giving UMass a six-point lead again, but Seton Hall hung around and eventually re-took the lead at 54-53 with 6:15 left on a Monique Blake lay-up.

Seton Hall led by as many as three points, but junior Alisha Tatham (Brampton, Ontario) tied the game on a three-pointer with 3:35 left. After a defensive stop, Alisha Tatham drove from the baseline and converted a reverse lay-up giving the Minutewomen a 63-61 lead. Seton Hall was unable to score and Mills made a pair of free throws to give UMass a 65-61 advantage and force a Seton Hall timeout with 1:14 left. The Hall did not score the rest of the way as UMass concluded the game on a 12-0 run to win its fourth straight game to start the season.

The Minutewomen shot 47 percent (21-45) from the field for the game, inclUding 5-of-10 (50 percent) from three-point range. Seton Hall shot 39 percent (25-64) from the field and were just 1-for-18 (.056) from three-point range. UMass controlled the boards, 41-34, and committed 18 turnovers.

Mills was 8-of-11 from the field and 6-for-7 at the line. She played the final 8:03 with four fouls and grabbed six rebounds in the game. Rosanio had 14 points and seven rebounds, while senior Tamara Tatham (Brampton, Ontario) had six points and 10 rebounds. Her sister, Alisha, had eight points and two boards.

Blake led Seton Hall with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Massachusetts will head south for its second straight tournament next weekend as they participate in the Best Western Roundball Classic in Tampa, Fla. The Minutewomen will face Stephen F. Austin at 12:00 PM on Saturday, Nov. 25 and then either host South Florida or St. Francis (N.Y.) on Sunday, Nov. 26. Both games can be heard on WMUA, 91.1 FM in Amherst, and online at www.umassathletics.com beginning a half-hour before tip-off.