FITCHBURG, MA (January 4, 2025) – The UMass Boston women's basketball team opened their new year with a 95-54 statement non-conference road-victory over the Fitchburg State Falcons on Saturday afternoon. Four Beacons scored double figures, led by junior guard Tatiannah Fevry (Dracut, Mass.) with a team-high 16 points.

The Basics:
UMass Boston 95 – 54 Fitchburg State
UMass Boston 4-8 (1-2 Little East Conference)
Fitchburg State 3-11 (0-0 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference)

How it Happened:

• The Beacons lost the tip, but Ashleigh Lagor (Millbury, Mass.) struck first for the game's first basket with an open mid-range jumper. Sophomore rookie Hialeah Turner-Foster (Mashpee, Mass.) would cap off the fast break to make it the largest Beacons' lead of the quarter at 12 points, with time expiring in the first quarter. Turner-Foster and Samora Merchant (Brookfield, Conn.) combined for 10 points in the quarter to lead the way for the Beacs heading into the second quarter.
• Merchant picked up in the second where she left off in the first, opening the quarter with a layup in the paint to get things started. Fevry added another two points to stretch the lead further to 16 points. By the end of the second, the Beacons were firing on all cylinders, knocking down shots on the offensive end, and playing suffocating defense on the other. The Halftime horn sounded with the Beacons up brazenly by 32. At the break, Turner-Foster led all scorers with 13.
• Halfway through the third quarter, Merchant would finish amidst the middle of the pain to further the lead to now 40-points, as the Beacons were well beyond a comfortable lead, and began to flourish in their brand of basketball.
• First-year Lexie Haigh (Rockaway, N.J) would put the ribbon on an offensive blowout by knocking down one of one free throws at the line as time expired and the Beacons return home with the massive win, their first of 2025.

By the Box:

• Four student-athletes recorded double-digit scoring figures, including Fevry with 16, Sabanna Berrios (Providence, R.I.) with 15, Merchant with 14, and Turner-Foster with 14.
• First-year guard Tahjeiha Madison (Brockton, Mass.) led the charge on the defensive end with four steals to go with four points and two assists.
• Captain Sibayla Jensen (Portland, Ore.) dished out a team-high seven assists.
• Berrios added a career-high 13 rebounds to go with her 15 points for her second career double-double with UMass Boston.
• A total team effort: the starting five produced 53 of the 95 total points, and the bench added nearly the same production with 42 points.

Who's Next:

• Up next for UMass Boston is the University of Southern Maine, as they will hit the road on Wednesday, January 8 for a 5:30 p.m LEC tip-off in Gorham, ME. Stay tuned for the game preview detailing matchups and providing coverage details. For all things UMass Boston Athletics, stay tuned at UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website.