WATERVILLE, M.E. - New addition Skyeler Sandison continued her red-hot start to the season, scoring 16 points against Thomas College on Sunday afternoon to follow up 10 in her debut. However, the big game from Sandison could not quite get the job done as UMass Boston dropped the contest by a final score of 66-62.

THE BASICS
UMass Boston 62, Thomas College 66

UMass Boston (0-2)
Thomas College (2-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beacons got into a track meet early with Paige Olivierre splashing a three-pointer on the game's opening possession. A Thomas College three a minute later set the tone for a competitive first quarter.

The largest first-quarter lead for either side came when Tatiannah Fevry finished off an and-one opportunity to stretch the UMass Boston lead to five points. The two squads matched one another step-for-step until Samora Merchant put a layup down with 11 seconds remaining to give the Beacons a narrow two-point lead.

The visiting squad held strong with Thomas throughout the second quarter but three-point shooting proved to be a difference maker, helping the Terriers build out a seven-point halftime lead.

Out of the break, Sandison took over once again. The transfer scored six unanswered points for UMass Boston to cut the deficit down to 40-39. The mini run cut into the Thomas lead but not for good. The Terriers bounced back to take a 55-46 advantage into the final frame.

Good defense in the fourth was the cause for a low-scoring final quarter from both sides. A Merchant layup cut the Beacons' deficit to six with just under five minutes to play, but they would not score again until Sunny Green's free throws at the 2:37 mark. 

Late buckets from Keriann Farina and Fevry cut the deficit down to two, but it was too little too late. The Beacons were forced to foul and the Terriers took care of business at the free throw line to ice the 66-62 win.

BY THE NUMBERS

• The Beacons won the turnover battle handily, losing possession just 14 times and scoring 27 points off of 26 Thomas turnovers
• In 16 minutes of play, Merchant poured in 12 points while blocking four shots on defense
• In her two games with the Beacons, Sandison has made 12 of 20 shots from the field and is averaging 13 points per game
• UMass Boston outscored Thomas in the paint 36-20
• The Beacons' all-time record against Thomas falls to 1-1

WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons play their home opener at Clark Athletic Center on Thursday, November 16 when they host Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a 7 PM tip-off.