BOSTON, MASS. (December 26, 2024) – The UMass Boston women's basketball team will travel to Daytona Beach, Florida, for a pair of non-conference matchups at the Florida Sunshine Shootout against the Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks and the Amherst College Mammoths on December 28 and 29.
Previously:

• The Beacons and the Stevens College Ducks have yet to tip off in program history. Saturday's afternoon matchup with the Ducks gives the Beacons a good opportunity to make a statement-win against an unfamiliar opponent that sets the tone for all future matchups against the Ducks. Against the Mammoths, UMass Boston is 1-1, with both previous games taking place in the 1980s. The most recent, in 1982, saw UMass Boston emerge victorious in a 92-54 blowout.

This Season:

• The Beacons recorded significant wins against Saint Elizabeth University (84-55) and, most recently, the Western Connecticut State Wolves (68-57). Their last matchup against the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen saw the Beacons fall just short in a 53-64 loss. As a unit, the Beacons score 55.8 points (34.4% FG%, 20.7% 3PT, 66.9 FT%), rake in 35.1 rebounds, and dish out 11.2 assists per game. On the defensive side, UMass Boston is forcing 11.7 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. Sophomore rookie Hialeah Turner-Foster (Mashpee, Mass.) has shined in her first collegiate basketball season, leading the Beacons in scoring off the bench with 9.1 points per game. In her last five games, Turner-Foster has registered four games in which she led the team in scoring off the bench. On December 2, she was recognized as the Little East Conference Rookie of the Week for her blossoming form in her role with UMass Boston. Sophomore forward Sabanna Berrios (Providence, R.I.) also averages 9.1 points per contest as the primary scoring option within the starting five. Junior captain Sibayla Jensen (Portland, Ore.) leads the team in assists with 2.7 per contest as the primary playmaker. Junior guard Tatiannah Fevry (Dracut, Mass.) leads the entire LEC in steals per game with 2.8 (25 in nine games played) to give the Beacons the spark on the defensive end. Sophomore forward Samora Merchant leads the effort on the glass with 7 rebounds per game.
• The Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks are 3-4 to start the season with wins over Brooklyn College (63-41), The College of New jersey (TCNJ) (72-64), and Hunter College (78-64). As a flock, the Ducks are averaging 60.1 points (35.3% FG, 26.2% 3PT, 63.5% FT), 39.3 rebounds, and 13.1 assists per game. On the defensive side, the Ducks force 7.9 steals per game and 3.0 blocks per game. Junior guard Leyla Castro leads all scorers with 16.3 PPG to go with team-highs in APG (4.7) and SPG (2.4). Sophomore forward Kayla Decker leads the effort on the glass with 7.7 rebounds per game to go with 11.1 points per game as the secondary scoring option.
• The Amherst College Mammoths are a dominant 8-1 to start the season, with their sole loss coming on November 23 to Springfield College (48-51). According to d3hoops.com, the Mammoths are currently receiving votes to be ranked in the top 25 in NCAA Division III women's basketball. As a herd, the Mammoths are averaging 64.3 points (39.5 FG%, 25.8 3PT%, 70.2 FT%), rake in 46.1 rebounds, and dish out 13.9 assists per game. On the defensive end, they are forcing 8.4 steals and 6.1 blocks per game. Senior guard Kori Barach is leading the charge offensively with 14.1 PPG. Junior guard Sylvia Liddle is the primary playmaker with 3.1 assists per game. Senior forward Maya Cwalina leads the effort on the glass with 8.3 rebounds per game to couple with 7.1 points per game. Junior guard Laura Mendell is a two-way enforcer with 12.5 points per game and 2.3 steals in four games played this season.

Tune In:

• The tournament will be available to stream via FloCollege and will require an account with subscriber access to follow along. To watch the games this weekend, follow the link HERE and sign into your FloSports account.
• To follow along with live stat coverage for free, follow the link HERE for access.

For all things UMass Boston Athletics, stay tuned at UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website.