Nov. 18, 2009

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AMHERST, Mass. - Despite another strong performance by sophomore Kristina Danella, the UMass women's basketball team dropped an 82-52 decision to St. John's on Wednesday evening in the Mullins Center. The Minutewomen are now 1-1 on the year following the setback, while the Red Storm improves to 2-0.

For the second straight game to open the season, Danella led UMass in scoring with 16 points and contributed a team-best seven rebounds. Freshman Jasmine Watson followed with 14 points, aided by 5-for-10 shooting and 4-4 at the free throw line. Junior Cerie Mosgrove and senior Diatiema Hill added eight and six, respectively. Mosgrove pulled down a career-best six rebounds, as well, and junior Stephanie Lawrence posted her first career five-assist game.

With five quick points from Danella and a basket by Hill, UMass took an early, 7-4 lead. St. John's fired back with a 9-0 run, however, climbing on top, 13-7 with 13:56 left in the opening half. The Red Storm then made it a double-digit deficit for the Minutewomen on a three by Shenneika Smith at 8:53, bringing the score to 25-14. Danella hit a three and made a pair of free throws in the remainder of the period to increase her total to 10, but UMass entered the intermission trailing 40-23.

The Minutewomen would draw no closer than 13 in the second. St. John's went on to expand its cushion to 21 with 10 minutes to play in the contest on a three-pointer from Kelly McManmon that increased the score to 60-39.

The Red Storm shot 35-for-78 (45%) from the field to UMass' 18-for-50 (36%), including 5-for-13 from three point range, while the Minutewomen were 4-for-13 from beyond the arc. St. John's finished with a 42-35 edge in rebounds, as well.

Da'Shena Stevens was the top point producer for the Red Storm with 17 to go along with nine boards. Centhya Hart totaled 14 points, while Smith had 12 and Eugeneia McPherson registered 11 points. Joy McCorvey added a game-high 11 rebounds and Britney Murphy led all players with six assists.

UMass will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 20 when the Minutewomen will travel to New Hampshire to square off with the Wildcats. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.