For the second straight season, the UMass women’s basketball team failed to win a conference tournament playoff game.
The Minutewomen lost their Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament opener in their 67-56 loss to Toledo on Wednesday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The sixth-seeded Rockets upset third-seeded UMass to advance to the MAC semifinals for a meeting with No. 2 Ball State.
Against Toledo, the Minutewomen fell behind 14-2 early in the first quarter, getting behind the eight-ball to the Rockets, who beat them 60-52 about a month earlier at the Mullins Center.
UMass eventually evened up the score 44-44 in the fourth quarter, but the Rockets hit a 3-pointer on the next possession to regain the lead at 47-44 and never surrendered the advantage again en route to the victory.
Toledo shot 40% from beyond the arc, a stark contrast to the Minutewomen’s 1-for-14 clip on 3s throughout the 40-minute contest.
Yahmani McKayle led all players on the floor with 24 points on 9-for-21 shooting from the field.
Allie Palmieri was the only other UMass player to reach double figures (10 points). Lilly Ferguson hauled in 11 rebounds to pace the Minutewomen.
Patricia Anumgba dropped 19 points as Toledo’s top scorer.
UMass’ record dropped to 23-7 following the loss.