by Kevin McCaskill Jr.
1/15/23 * 7:00 PM
(AMHERST, MA) - On Saturday afternoon, The Mullins Center hosted another Women’s and Men’s 🏀 doubleheader. The Minutewomen hosted St. Joseph’s, one of the better teams in the Atlantic 10. The Minutemen faced a rival, Rhode Island. The Minutewomen are having a good season and wanted to keep their momentum going against a tough opponent in St. Joseph’s.
(Destiny Philoxy scans the defense as she attempts to pass)
(Katie Jekot dribbles up the floor for St. Joe's)
St. Joe’s was hot from the field from the tip. Guard Olivia Mullins made three 3s in the 1st quarter. Two of her 3s were from the left corner, in front of the UMass bench.
St. Joe’s controlled the 1st and led 17-12 at the end of the quarter. In the second, the Minutewomen’s offense finally got into gear. The offensive charge was led, fittingly, by their Point Guard Ber’Nyah Mayo. She made an impact scoring the ball, making multiple layups in transition and in the Minutewomen’s halfcourt offense.
(Mayo passes to Taylor)
Minutewomen Senior Guard Sydney Taylor was fouled on a three-point attempt in the 2nd quarter. She made 2/3 FTs that pulled UMass within two points, 23-21. Guard Destiny Philoxy made a three before half that tied the game at 30. St. Joe’s offense wasn’t getting the shots they were getting in the 1st quarter. The Minutewomen’s defensive intensity was a part of the reason why St. Joe’s offense was struggling.
(Destiny Philoxy attempts a 3)
St. Joe’s opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run, which put them ahead 38-30. UMass fought back and got into the game. Taylor made back-to-back 3s that pulled UMass within four, 44-40.
In the fourth quarter, Mayo stepped up and made two big plays that won the game for the Minutewomen. She hit a three that gave UMass the lead 51-49.
Mullins made another 3 that gave St. Joe’s a 56-55 lead. On the Minutewomen’s next possession, Mayo found Forward Makennah White, in the lane, rolling to the basket. White caught the pass from Mayo, went to the basket strong and made the layup to put UMass ahead 57-56. St. Joe’s had two opportunities to tie or go ahead but they were unsuccessful.
(Last play for St. Joe's; UMass wins)
The Minutewomen opened the Saturday afternoon doubleheader with a win 58-56.
Mayo scored a team-high 19 points. Taylor and White each had 10 points.
(Mayo attempts a baseline floater)
Laura Ziegler scored a game-high 22 points. She also had 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
The Minutewomen are now 13-4 overall, 3-1 in the A10. Their next game is on Wednesday, January 18th @ Fordham. The game can be watched on ESPN+.
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