DANBURY, CT (December 1st, 2024) UMass Boston traveled to the Feldman Arena where they defeated the hosting Wolves of Western Connecticut State University (WestConn). The Beacons' defensive efforts led the way to the first conference victory, and second win of the season.

The Basics 

The Final Score: UMB 68 - 57 WestConn.

UMass Boston: 2-5 (1-0).

WestConn: 2-5 (0-1).

How It Happened 

• UMass Boston and WestConn battled early for the duration of the first quarter as the score showed 13-14 in favor of the Wolves. Junior guard Tatiannah Fevry opened the Beacons' ledger from the free-throw line, and sophomore forward Sabanna Berrios (Providence, R.I.) scored the first basket of the game with a paint layup. Through the first ten minutes, the Beacons already registered six steals and a block, led by Fevry and junior captain Sibayla Jensen (Portland, Ore.) with two steals apiece.  

• Quarter two saw success for the Beacons on both sides of the basketball. Fevry added another two steals to double her average in the first half, along with a team-high eight points. Joining Fevry with two steals in the second quarter was first year post-up artist Ashleigh Lagor (Millbury, Mass.). The Beacons had 12 total steals and led at halftime by a score of 30-23.  

• As competition progressed, the Beacons were able to maintain their lead by winning the battle on the backboards and converting more 3-point shots. UMass Boston added two more steals and two more blocks, along with three three-pointers, one apiece, from sophomore Vanessa Bucha (Aschnuet, Mass.), sophomore rookie Hialeah Tuner-Foster (Mashpee, Mass.), and Lagor. UMass Boston entered the fourth with a double-digit cushion. 

• The Beacons' bench continued to shine in the final quarter, as Bucha connected on another from deep range, and Turner-Foster led the Beacons in fourth-quarter scoring with six points on 3-4 shooting. Turner-Foster would score the final layup of the game to finish the fastbreak to pack up the Wolves, 68-57. 

By the Numbers: 

• Berrios scored ten points on four made baskets and two free throws, as she was just shy of another double-double with nine rebounds, good for a team-high.  

• Turner-Foster led the team in scoring off the bench with 15 points on 6-12 FG, one three-pointer (the first of her career), and two free throws.  

• Bucha went perfect from beyond the 3-pt arch with two from deep range.  

• Fevry and Jensen finished with four steals each to combine for eight of the Beacons' 16 steals, a season-high for UMass Boston.  

• Sophomore forward Samora Merchant tallied four of the Beacons' six blocks to go with six rebounds and a steal. 

• The Beacons scored 36 points in the paint, 19 off turnovers, 12 on the fast break, 16 off second chance points, and the Beacons' bench unit outscored the starting five by ten (39-29). 

Who's Next? 

• The Beacon's will light up the Clark Athletic Center in their next matchup against the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen on Wednesday, December 4, at 5:00 p.m. 

• Stay tuned for the game preview including live stats and video coverage links. 

--FIND A WAY--