CASTLETON, Vt. - An efficient first-half shooting display with contributions across the board helped UMass Boston Women's Basketball build an eight-point halftime lead on Wednesday night, but a five-point comeback in the closing moments of regulation and early run in overtime by Castleton University downed the Beacons, 71-61, on Wednesday evening on the road. 

THE BASICS

UMass Boston 61, Castleton University 71

UMass Boston (7-7, 0-4, LEC)

Castleton University (9-3, 2-1 LEC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

In their first game of 2023, the Beacons came out firing, knocking down 3-of-5 three-pointers in the opening quarter to build an eight-point advantage on the Spartans, 17-9. 

UMass Boston led by as many as 12 points with 1:12 left in the second frame, and found themselves ahead by an an eight-point margin heading into the half. Senior guard Keriann Farina contributed nine of the Beacons' 27 first half points, who shot 41.6% in the first half of the game. 

Utilizing the paint presence of junior transfer forward Alexah Potter, who had six of her eight total points in the second half, the Beacons would maintain their eight-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Potter would finish the game with 11 rebounds and a career-high six blocks.

The Spartans, who trailed by five with 27 seconds remaining after a layup by Farina would find their way back into the game. Senior guard Elise Magro hit a three to cut the deficit to two and after Farina split a pair of free throws, senior forward Gwyn Tatton nailed a game-tying three with six seconds remaining in regulation. The Beacons were unable to get a shot off at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.

The Spartans sank two three-pointers to start the overtime period, going ahead by six and by as many as 12 points while holding the Beacons to just six points, downing UMass Boston, 71-61, and dropping them to 0-4 in conference play this season.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Keriann Farina led the way for UMass Boston with a season-high and career-high 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting
• Elisa Magro paced Castleton with 29 points on 7-of-27 shooting and a 12-for-14 performance from the free throw line, graduate guard Kelly Vuz was close behind with 22 points on 5-of-18 shooting while going 9-for-10 from the stripe
• UMass Boston went just 7-for-19 from the free throw line while Castleton was 30-for-37 on the evening
• The Beacons controlled the paint, outscoring the Spartans 30-14 from inside the box

WHO'S NEXT

UMass Boston closes out their two-game road trip with a road Little East Conference matchup against Plymouth State University on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 PM. The Beacons have won nine consecutive games against the Panthers dating back to the 2016-17 season.