UPDATE: The UMass women’s basketball team faced a stunning setback, suffering their first loss of the season against Army with a final score of 64-61 at West Point. This defeat drops the Minutewomen to a record of 7-1 and marks a critical moment as they head into a 13-day break.
The game began with UMass holding a slim lead, finishing the first quarter ahead 18-15. However, the contest turned as Army’s Brooke Wilson tied the game with a three-pointer. The Minutewomen, despite a strong start, could not maintain their momentum as the Black Knights capitalized on crucial late-game plays.
UMass led by as many as six points midway through the second half but found themselves trailing 43-42 by the end of the third quarter. Coach Mike Leflar acknowledged the challenges posed by Army, stating, “They made winning plays [in the] second half, fourth quarter down the stretch and we weren’t able to.”
Key players included senior captain Megan Olbrys, who led UMass with 16 points, and Yahmani McKayle, who contributed 13 points and five defensive rebounds. Despite their efforts, UMass struggled to overcome Army’s pressure in the final quarter, losing the shooting battle 21-19.
“We still have some learning to do,” Leflar emphasized. “I hope that from Saturday’s loss, we can show up a ‘little more ready’ as we move forward.” UMass will return to action at the FIU Christmas Classic in Miami, with games scheduled for December 19 and 20, the first tipping off at 1:00 p.m.
Fans and supporters will be eager to see how the Minutewomen regroup after this tough loss as they aim to bounce back and reclaim their winning form. Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses!
