It is officially basketball season and according to Beacons Athletics, the UMass Boston Women’s Basketball team kicked things off up north in Waterville, Maine, for the Charlie Ryan Classic over Veterans Day weekend. Unfortunately for the Beacons, they ended up suffering two tough losses to start the year, against Colby College and Thomas College. Despite the rough opener, there was plenty to like about the Beacons’ early play. [1]
According to Beacons Athletics, the Beacons found early success with buckets from Sunny Green and new transfer player Skeyeler Sandison, giving them an 11–8 lead after one quarter in their opener against Colby. The Beacons continued to rally through the second quarter, nabbing a seven-point lead at one point. These Mules were stubborn though and powered their way back to make it a one-point game, 23–22 at halftime. [2]
The second half came around and Paige Olivierre came out firing. She was the driving force that helped the Beacons take another seven-point lead, 40–33. However, the Mules responded in a demanding manner ending the third quarter on a 13–1 run, leading 46–41, entering the fourth. The Beacons regained the lead toward the end of the game, but the Mules managed to push their way toward a narrow win, 59–56. [2]
A crushing loss that saw 15 lead changes is a hard way to start the year, but the Beacons looked to turn things around in their next matchup against Thomas College and the Terriers. [1] Once again, the Beacons ended the first quarter with the lead after a competitive outing. Their 20–18 lead was eradicated in the second quarter. [4]
The Terriers were living by the long ball, raining three-pointers and giving themselves a seven-point halftime lead over the Beacons. Sandison was not having any of it, though, as she scored the first six points of the second half, looking to tip the scales back in the Beacons’ favor. That run was short-lived, though, as the Terriers got their act together and entered the fourth with a 55–46 lead. [4]
The Beacons were now in quite the hole but did everything they could in the fourth. Late in the game, they cut the Terriers’ lead to two, but by that time they had to play the foul game. They could not find any opportunities to steal the game back by then, ending in another close loss for the Beacons, the final score being 66–62. [4]
It was a tough weekend for the Beacons, but there were plenty of positives to take out of it. Sandison is looking like a key addition to the team, scoring 10 points against the Mules off the bench [3] and 16 against the Terriers in what was, according to Beacons Athletics, her first start. [5] She’s been very efficient as well, shooting 60 percent from the field on the year. [4]
It’s also very evident that the Beacons can hang with opponents, as both of these games ended with narrow opposing victories. That being said, there are areas that need work; the Beacons hit just four of their 26 three-point attempts in these games, something that will have to improve as the year progresses. It’s also going to be essential for them to hold on to leads and close out games going forward.
Regardless of the outcomes of these games, this year’s Beacon squad is certainly promising. Last season saw them go 12–14, less than ideal, especially when their season abruptly ended prior to the Little East Conference beginning. But after playing in these two competitive games, it is certainly possible for them to outdo that record this time around. There is still plenty of basketball to be played, and plenty of time for the Beacons to make the necessary adjustments to live up to their potential.
Sources
- https://beaconsathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule
- https://beaconsathletics.com/news/2023/11/11/womens-basketball-battles-colby-in-season-opener.aspx
- https://beaconsathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2023-24/colby-college/boxscore/11614
- https://beaconsathletics.com/news/2023/11/12/womens-basketball-beacons-battle-terriers-in-charlie-ryan-finale.aspx
- https://beaconsathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2023-24/thomas-college/boxscore/11615
- https://beaconsathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule