UMass basketball: Minutewomen fall short at Northeastern, 78-74

Staff Reports

Published: 11-09-2023 9:36 PM

Modified: 11-09-2023 9:36 PM


A late surge by the Massachusetts women's basketball team wasn’t enough against Northeastern on Thursday. 

The Minutewomen trailed 70-65 with 3:05 to play when the Huskies ripped off five straight points to take a commanding 75-65 lead with 45 seconds to play. 

UMass didn’t quit. Kristin Williams sank a pair of free throws, Jermany Mapp got inside for two and after Northeastern missed a pair of free throws, the Minutewomen raced up the court and Mapp drained a 3 to cut the deficit to 75-72 with 20 seconds to play. 

Maddie Vizza was fouled and made both free throws for the Huskies to make it a two-possession game. Stefanie Kulesza sank a second chance layup with five ticks left but Derin Erdogan made a free throw for Northeastern to seal the win, with the Huskies defeated UMass 78-74 at Solomon Court in Boston. 

It was an even game throughout. The game was tied at 21 after 10 minutes before Northeastern (2-0) closed out the first half with free throws from Yirsy Quliz and a bucket from Erdogan to give the Huskies a 42-36 lead at the half. 

Northeastern outscored UMass 17-14 in the third quarter to take a 59-50 lead going into the final frame. The Huskies kept the Minutewomen (1-1) at arm’s length throughout the fourth, keeping it a multi-possession game before UMass went on its late run. 

Asha Parker led the Minutewomen with 18 points. Gemima Motema finished with 16 points and four rebounds, Vizza finished in double-figured with 12 points while Erdogan added eight points, six rebounds and eight assists. 

Next up for UMass is a trip up to Orono to take on Maine on Sunday at 1 p.m. 

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