KEENE, N.H. (February 8, 2025) – First-year guard Tajeiha Madison (Brockton, Mass.) and sophomore Sabanna Berrios (Providence, R.I.) combined for 28 of the Beacons' (8-14, 5-7 Little East Conference) 59 total points, with Madison tallying a new career-high 13 points including three knock-downs from deep range, yet ultimately fell short against the LEC five-seeded Keene State Owls (9-11, 5-6 LEC) on Saturday in a hard-fought effort.

Sophomore rookie Hialeah Turner-Foster (Mashpee, Mass.) was automatic from the free-throw line, converting 11 of her 13 takes at the stripe. Berrios and Madison were both efficient from the field while shooting above 50% (Berrios: 7-14 | Madison: 5-8).

How it Happened:

First Quarter:

• UMass Boston had a strong showing in the first half. After giving up eight unanswered points, Ashleigh Lagor's (Millbury, Mass.) first triple of the game gave UMass Boston its first lead (10-8), followed by her second consecutive basket on the next possession.
• Samora Merchant's (Brookfield, Conn.) layup closed out the quarter for the Beacons with a two-point lead heading into the second quarter.

Second Quarter:

• The Owls scored nine unanswered to begin the second to put the Beacs back on the retreat.
• Madison's layup ended the run and cut the deficit to five points. Berrios' and-one jumper continued to chip away until Turner-Foster tied the game with a perfect trip at the stripe.
• Madison pulled up for a three in transition, confident in her jumper; she gave the Beacons an inch of room with a three-point lead.
• Madison pulled another transition three, followed by Berrios' layup to close out the quarter on a high note.
•  The Beacons ended the first half up 29-26 and shot 50% (3-6) from three and 85 % at the free throw line (6-7), while leading 29-26.

Second Half:

• The Owls retook the lead at the free-throw line four minutes into the third quarter. Berrios converted a fastbreak layup to knot things back even. The Owls finished out the quarter heavy on the gas pedal, outscoring the Beacons 3-13.
• Junior Guard Tatiannah Fevry (Dracut, Mass) opened the final quarter of play with an inside layup. Turner-Foster was sent to the line four times and converted six FTs to keep the Beacons competitive. With five minutes remaining, the Beacons were down by only nine points. Berrios cut the lead back down to six with a layup, before the Owls ultimately broke away on a 7-16 point run to close out the game.

By the Box:

• Berrios led all UMass Boston scorers with a game-high 15 points (7-14 FG) and a team-high six rebounds.
• Madison and Turner-Foster each had 13, with Madison's 13 marking a new collegiate high for the rookie guard.
• Turner-Foster and sophomore Vanessa Bucha (Aschnuet, Mass.) each led the way defensively with two steals.
• UMass Boston held an edge in points off turnovers (17-9), second-chance points (9-7), bench points (31-21), points in the paint (24-10), and fastbreak points (17-8).

The Beacons will lock in for their next matchup on  Wednesday, February 12 at 5:30 p.m., as they hit the road to North Dartmouth for an LEC matchup against the number-24 team in NCAA DIII women's hoops, the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs, with just three games remaining in the LEC regular season.