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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
13-3,5-1MAC
Buffalo
2-15,0-6MAC
Massachusetts Women's Basketball Outlasts Buffalo, 79-67
January 17, 2026 | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University of Massachusetts women's basketball (13-3, 5-1 MAC) defeated Buffalo (2-15, 0-6 MAC), 79-67, during a Saturday afternoon matchup at Alumni Arena.
UMass used a 12-0 run to open the contest to secure its ninth double-dogit victory of the season. Senior Forward Megan Olbrys dominated in the interior on the day, with 19 points for the Minutewomen and grabbing a career-high with 16 rebounds. Olbrys secured her third double-double in the first half of the matchup, with 11 points and ten rebounds at the break.
Ayanna Franks and Yahmani McKayle also saw a lot of action, with Franks recording 18 points and three steals and McKayle contributing 17 points and seven assists. Allie Palmieri also recorded double-digit points in the contest, with 11 points.
As a unit, the Minutewomen domintated down low, nabbing a season-high 51 rebounds and scoring 40 points in the paint.
Breaking Down The Action
- The Minutewomen opened the game on a 12-0 run, with Megan Olbrys and Yahmani McKayle combining 10 points over the first five minutes of game play.
- Ayanna Franks responded to a Buffalo triple with a trey from the top of the arc to extend the UMass lead to 15-3 at 4:36.
- Franks connected again from deep at 3:31, putting her total at eight points and giving Massachusetts a 12-point lead, 18-6.
- UMass opened the second quarter on a 12-2 run, increasing its lead to 36-12 with 4:39 remaining in the half.
- Aiyanna Perkins connected from mid-range to halt a short 6-0 Bulls run at 1:49, keeping the Minutewomen ahead by over 20, leading 41-20.
- Allie Palmieri finished around a defender with 19 seconds left in the second quarter, giving UMass a 43-25 halftime lead.
- McKayle started the action for the third quarter, capitalizing on the layup
- Palmieri added a pair of free throws at 8:31, with Franks adding a layup less than 10 seconds later.
- McKayle added three more points with a shot from beyond the arch, coming from a pass from Franks.
- A Defensive rebound from Ross let the Minutewomen down court to give Olbrys the jumper at 6:03.
- Perkins made the jumper, stopping the Bulls 7-0 run in the third quarter, keeping Massachusetts up, 56-40.
- McKayle added another two points with the jumper, putting her to 13 points in the contest.
- Ross added her third defensive rebound, sending it to McKayle down court for a finish by Franks at 1:51.
- A block from Olbrys caused a turnover for McKayle to add another two points for the Minutewomen.
- A foul from the Bulls gave Olbrys a couple of free throws to end the third quarter, with Massachusetts leading by 14 points, 64-50.
- Massachusetts started the scoring in the final quarter just 49 seconds in with a layup from Olbrys
- Halfway through, the Minutewomen fire off another jumper from McKayle.
- Palmieri added another three points to the stat sheet, with a three pointer at 6:09.
- The Bulls go on a 5-0 run to try to make a comeback, which is stopped by a layup from Olbrys.
- Ferguson gets a free throw in, extending the lead to 11 with 2:25 left in the contest.
- The Minutewomen went on a small 5-0 run towards the end of the final quarter, with Franks and Ferguson leading the run, ending the game 79-67.
By the Numbers
16: Olbrys collects a new career-high with 16 rebounds against the Bulls.
19: Olbrys led the Minutewomen with 19 points.
25: The Minutewomens largest lead of the matchup, recorded at 3:56 in the second quarter.
51: Total rebounds the Minutewomen pulled down
Up Next
The Minutewomen continue on the road for a heavyweight conference matchup against Ball State on Wednesday, January 21, at 6:30 p.m., on ESPN+, in Muncie, Ind. Links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).
