WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – A 48-21 run in the first two quarters was all the Warriors of Eastern Connecticut State University need, as they downed women's basketball by the final of 88-54 Saturday afternoon in a Little East Conference contest at Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium.

THE BASICS

UMass Boston 54, Eastern Connecticut State University 88

UMass Boston (9-2, 1-2 Little East Conference)
Eastern Connecticut State (8-2, 2-0 Little East Conference)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Warriors came out firing in the opening quarter, as they jumped out to a commanding 27-5 lead.  They then made it a 27 point difference heading into the halftime break following a 21-16 advantage in the second frame.

UMass Boston struggled all afternoon to get anything going offensively as they shot just 25% on the day, 13% from distance.  Eastern Connecticut State was solid from all over the hardwood as they shot 57.1% and 40% from 3-point range.

Joie Grassi (Plymouth, Mass.) led the Beacons with 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting.  Tahjai Mazyck (Hamden, Conn.) and Jalani Jackson (Brockton, Mass.) combined for 23 points respectively.  Off the bench Sarah St. Surin (Norwalk, Conn.) grabbed a team-high six rebounds.

Mariah Dunn had one of her best days as a Warrior as she led all scorers with 20 points on 6-of-6 shooting.  All-Conference honoree Mya Villard dropped in 17 points, followed by Anna Barry who finished with 11.

On top of the Warriors early offensive surge, ECSU also dominated in the paint as they outscored the Beacons 50-28.  ECSU's bench also helped to carry the load as they accounted for 40 of the team's 88 points, while the Beacons bench dropped in just 12 points.

BY THE NUMBERS

• The Beacons 25.8 field goal percentage is their second lowest of the 2019-20 season
• The Beacons have only shot under 30% three times this season
• Eastern Connecticut held a 45-36 advantage on the glass, but UMB held a 21-14 advantage on the offensive side
• With her 14 points, Grassi now needs 36 points to become the newest member of the 1,000-point club
• Julie Keckler led all players with seven rebounds
• The Warriors have now won three straight over the Beacons and have won eight-straight in Geissler Gymnasium
• The Warriors are 67-11 all-time against the Beacons

WHO'S NEXT

The Beacons will host Western Connecticut State University on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.