Wednesday, Jan. 29, the Beacons welcomed the Western Connecticut State Wolves to Beaconville for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Game at Clark Athletic Center.
The game started with a severe lack of offense for both teams, especially in the first three minutes, until Sabanna Berrios put UMass Boston on the board. The Wolves flipped the script, taking a 5-4 lead at the first timeout of the game. Then, Western Connecticut went on a 10-4 run to gain a steady 15-8 lead at the end of the first.
It was a physical second quarter and the Beacons still couldn’t find their groove offensively, only totaling 10 points 15 minutes into the second quarter. UMass Boston trailed 27-14 as both teams headed to the locker room.
In the early part of the third, Sabanna Berrios and Tatiannah Fevry ignited the Beacons offense with back-to-back layups. Freshman guard Tajeiha Madison drained a three to put UMass Boston within 10 with about five minutes to go. The Beacons would later go on an 11–2 run to tie the game at 38 a piece, going into the final 10 minutes of play.
The Beacons started the fourth with a bang, taking the lead 40–38 for their first lead since the first quarter. They then rained 13 unanswered points, started by guard Tajeiha Madison. The Wolves responded with a quick three ball but UMass Boston cindered all doubt with a 7–3 run to complete the comeback. The Beacons won their second consecutive game 60–44.
UMass Boston outscored Western Connecticut 46-17 in the second half: the most points in a half since their 95–54 win over Fitchburg State. Sabanna Berrios led all scorers with 17 points and totaled 15 rebounds.
The Beacons traveled to Providence, Rhode Island, Saturday, Feb. 1 to take on the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen. Rhode Island College were in second place in the LEC with an impressive 9–1 record, so UMass Boston had a tough task on their hands.
Junior guard Tatiannah Fevry opened the game with the first basket, and UMass Boston went on an 8–0 run, but Rhode Island College then closed the quarter with five unanswered points. The Beacons were able to hold on to the lead 10–8 at the end of the first.
The Anchorwomen tied the game early in the second quarter, but sophomore Vanessa Bucha hit a quick three-pointer and the Beacons re-gained their advantage. A slew of free throws gave Rhode Island College the 33–30 lead. UMass Boston was playing on par with a tough opponent and looked to turn up the intensity at halftime.
In the third, Sibayla Jensen scored the first points of the second half and followed that with eight points as UMass Boston outscored the Anchorwomen 15–14. Rhode Island College led 34–32 entering the fourth.
It was a tight fourth quarter with the game tied at 46 toward the end. Rhode Island College hit a jumper to take a two-point lead with under a minute remaining. Then, the Beacons tied the game with another jumper, but the Anchorwomen retook the lead the very next possession. UMass Boston had to hit a three to get the game to overtime, but Ashleigh Lagor’s attempt was off the mark and the Beacons fell 49–46.
This article appeared in print on Page 6 of Vol. LIX Issue X, published Feb. 10, 2025.
