Providence, R.I. (January 17, 2026)– The UMass Boston women's basketball team (10-6, 4-3 LEC) went toe-to-toe with Rhode Island College (11-5, 5-2 LEC) for much of the afternoon, but a late fourth-quarter surge by the Anchorwomen proved decisive in a 74–63 decision on Saturday at The Murray Center in Little East Conference play.
The Beacons kept the game close from the opening tip, answering an early Rhode Island College push with strong interior play and ball movement. A late three-pointer from Tajeiha Madison (Brockton, Mass.) capped a steady first quarter and sent UMass Boston into the break trailing by just three.
Rhode Island College briefly created separation in the second quarter, extending its lead to eight, but UMass Boston remained composed and continued to generate quality looks. Hialeah Turner-Foster (Mashpee, Mass.) and Madison Haggett (Londonderry, NH) provided scoring punch as the Beacons trimmed the deficit and went into halftime down 38–32.
UMass Boston carried that momentum into the third quarter, forcing turnovers and converting in transition to keep pressure on the Anchorwomen. The Beacons pulled within two on multiple occasions before Rhode Island College responded with timely shooting to maintain a slim edge entering the final 10 minutes.
The fourth quarter featured several momentum swings, including a game-tying three-pointer by Sibayla Jensen (Portland, Ore.) and UMass Boston's first lead of the afternoon following a Haggett jumper with just over five minutes remaining. Rhode Island College answered immediately, closing the game on a decisive run fueled by second-chance points and trips to the free-throw line in the final minutes.
UMass Boston competed through the final horn, but was unable to regain the lead down the stretch.
Three Beacons scored double figures led by Turner-Foster with 14 including three rebounds and two steals. Supporting her was Madison and Lagor with 12 and 10 respectively, while Lagor pulled in a team-high eight rebounds. Along with her offensive performance, Lagor had a career night on the defensive end, as she tied her career-high in blocks (three) and forced a team-high three steals.
UMass Boston continues LEC play next week on Wednesday, January 21 at 5:00 PM against the Vermont State University Castleton Spartans from the Clark Athletic Center.
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