BOSTON, MA (January 11, 2024) – The UMass Boston women's basketball team fell just short in the final moments following a tight back-and-forth battle with Little East Conference opponents the Panthers of Plymouth State, as they were led by graduate guard Keriann Farina's team-high 13 points and sophomore guard Tatiannah Fevry's near double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Farina and Fevry led the Beacons in scoring, they were assisted by junior guard Sunny Green, who connected on half of her attempts from beyond the arc, good for seven points off two three-point field goals and a free throw. First-year guard Sophia Bradbury led all players from both teams in rebounding, as she collected a season-high 16 rebounds in the effort. Bradbury, Fevry, and Farina each contributed three steals on the defensive end, as they were the spark plugs needed to provide the Beacons with enough energy to remain within striking distance for the duration of the entire game.

The Panthers started off blistering hot, sprinting out to a 14-1 run in the initial eight minutes of play. The Beacons were able to cut the deficit from 13 to just six with just under three minutes remaining in the first quarter following a Green three-pointer, and an and-one finish from Bradbury. The Panthers led 16-10 entering the second quarter following an efficient scoring period, knocking down six of their 14 attempts from the field.

The Beacons started off the second period showcasing their will, as a defensive stop in the paint forced a missed layup by the Panthers, followed by two offensive rebounds from Fevry to give the Beacons extra opportunities enough for Bradbury to find the cup. Her layup opened the scoring in the second period to cut the Panthers deficit to just two possessions. Shortly afterward, UMass Boston was able to ride their momentum to a four-point cushion with five minutes expired through the second period. However, the Panthers responded with a nine-to-three run to close out the quarter with a five-point cushion up 29-25 heading into the half. The Beacons were able to gain some ground on the Panthers, outscoring them 15-13 in the second quarter.

The Panthers and the Beacons would struggle to find their groove coming out of the halftime break, as both teams would go scoreless for the first three and a half minutes of play in the third quarter. The Panthers' Brianna Wilcox three-pointer broke the ice to stretch her team's lead to seven. Fevry responded on the next possession with a driving layup in the paint to keep the Beacons within striking distance. Graduate sharpshooter Paige Ollivierre connected on a timely shot from distance to cut the deficit to just two with just over five minutes remaining in the third. A Farina steal and score leveled the Beacons even with the Panthers, as now teams were going blow for blow in a dogfight to the finish. Once again, the Beacons chipped away at the deficit suffered from the initial moments of the game. UMass Boston outscored Plymouth State eight to 11 in the third period, however still found themselves in the hole down one point following a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the Panthers' Lea Crompton.

The fourth quarter was set for a thrilling finish to an entertaining game. The Panthers would get an early jump starting out the quarter on an eight to two scoring run. Fevry and Farina gave it their all on the defensive end, forcing two turnovers on back-to-back possessions, however, the Beacs came up empty on the other end. One final push in the final two minutes from the Beacons saw the Beacons with one last glimmer of hope following a deep three-pointer from Bradbury to bring the Beacs to within three with five seconds remaining. However, it would be too little too late, as a free throw from the Panthers' Wilcox iced the game with a four point lead with just over three seconds remaining. A full court heave from Bradbury would end the battle 52-48 with the Panthers outlasting the Beacons from Clark Gymnasium.
With the loss, the Beacons fall to 3-11 on the year and go 1-6 in the Little East Conference thus far. The Panthers advance to 7-5 on the year, while maintaining a 3-2 record in the Little East.

The Beacons suit up again next week on Wednesday, January 17 as they take on the Spartans of Castleton State University. Live stats and video coverage will be available at UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website (beaconsathletics.com).