GORHAM, ME. (January 8, 2025.)—The Beacons outscored the Huskies of the University of Southern Maine in the second half of their Wednesday evening Little East Conference meeting. However, the final push was just short, and UMass Boston returned home without the victory despite the total team effort.

The Basics
UMass Boston 67 – 71 University of Southern Maine
UMass Boston 4-9 (1-3 LEC)
Southern Maine 6-7 (2-2)

How it Happened

• The Huskies came away with the opening tip, and both teams went scoreless for the first possessions before sophomore Samora Merchant (Brookfield, Conn.) found the Beacons' leading scorer, Sabanna Berrios (Providence, R.I.), for the game's first bucket in the painted area. The Beacons outscored the Huskies 13-10 in the first quarter, which was led by a hot start from Berrios, with eight points on 100% shooting from the field (4-4 FG.).
• The Beacons fell victim to a Huskies' run in the second quarter, as they were outscored 20-10. Entering the halftime break, the Beacons faced a seven-point gap.
• Berrios immediately got to work with haste to begin the second half, finishing the mid-range jumper off the dish from junior captain Sibayla Jensen (Portland, Ore.). Sophomore rookie Hialeah Turner-Foster (Mashpee, Mass.) finished the quarter with eight points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, 3-4 FT). Merchant finished the quarter for the Beacons in the paint to cut the gap to just four points heading into the final quarter.
• First-year post-up artist Ashleigh Lagor (Millbury, Mass.) opened the quarter for UMass Boston with a midrange jumper to bring the game to within one possession. Just as the Beacons returned to striking distance, the Huskies connected on timely three-pointers to keep the Beacons out of reach. Junior defensive menace Tatiannah Fevry (Dracut, Mass.) connected on a pair of free throws with three minutes remaining to cut the lead to three points in the final stretch. First-year guard Tajeiha Madison (Brockton, Mass.) found Lagor beyond the arc, as Lagor laced a three-pointer to bring the game to within two with 2:20 to go. Turner-Foster finished her own steal and score to finally tie the game for the first time since the first quarter.
• In the final two minutes, there were three ties and four lead changes. After a 1-2 trip at the line for the Huskies, Fevry finished a jumper to give UMass Boston a one-point lead with one minute to go. A triad of free throws put the Huskies up back three. The Beacons called upon Lagor, and Lagor answered heroically and connected beyond the arc to tie the game once again at 67 with 17 seconds remaining. However, the Huskies connected on two baskets in the final moments to stifle the final push from the Beacons.

By the Box:

• Turner-Foster added another career-high scoring performance with 18 points (6-9 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-10 FT), and four steals.
• Berrios added another double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, the third double-double in her time as a Beacon.
• Fevry added 12 points and four steals to bring her season totals to 34, which ties her for most in the LEC for total steals and steals per game.
• All 10 players for UMass  Boston saw time on the court against the Huskies, led by Lagor with 34 minutes of action. In that time, she contributed nine points, including 2-2 from downtown, five rebounds, a block, and a steal.
• Jensen added five points and a career-high five steals, a team-high in a fiery defensive effort for UMass Boston. As a unit, they caused 18 turnovers, 14 of which were caused by steals.

Who's Next:

• The Beacons look to bounce back against the Keene State Owls from the Clark Gymnasium on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in a weekend conference shootout. Stay tuned for the game preview that will set up the matchup and provide coverage links.