NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA. (January 8, 2026) – The UMass Boston women's basketball team (9-4, 3-2 Little East Conference) used a dominant second half to pull away from UMass Dartmouth (4-9, 1-3 Little East) and secure a 79-61 victory Thursday evening at the Tripp Athletic Center, marking the Beacons' fourth consecutive win.

The opening quarter was a defensive battle, as both teams forced early turnovers and struggled to find a rhythm offensively. The Corsairs held a slim advantage after one, 17-12.

UMass Boston responded in the second quarter, outscoring Dartmouth 23-14 to take a 35-31 lead into the break. Jordis Tautalatasi (Springfield, Mass.) and Hialeah Turner-Foster (Mashpee, Mass.) sparked the run, combining for key baskets to flip the momentum before halftime.

The Beacons continued to build in the third, stretching the lead to eight midway through the quarter as they began to control the tempo. Turner-Foster pushed into double figures late in the period, and UMass Boston carried a 58-48 advantage into the final frame.

UMass Boston closed the door in the fourth, limiting the Corsairs to just 13 points while pouring in 21 of their own to seal the 79-61 win.

Three Beacons finished in double figures, led by Turner-Foster with a game-high 20 points, three rebounds, and three steals. Tautalatasi followed with 18 points, a career-high 11 rebounds, and a team-high six assists, while sophomore forward Ashleigh Lagor (Millbury, Mass.) added 13 points.

The Beacons shot 53.1 percent (34-of-64) from the field, held a 40-32 rebounding edge, and scored 35 bench points in the victory.

UMass Boston returns to action on Saturday, January 10, when the Beacons host non-conference foe Wheaton College at the Clark Athletic Center. Tip-off scheduled for 12:00 pm.

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