UMass basketball: Minutewomen drop opener at Harvard, 71-58

UMass’ Stefanie Kulesza (44) drives against Harvard during the Minutewomen’s season opener on Monday night in Cambridge.

UMass’ Stefanie Kulesza (44) drives against Harvard during the Minutewomen’s season opener on Monday night in Cambridge. PHOTO BY CHRIS TUCCI/UMASS ATHLETICS

By RYAN AMES

Staff Writer

Published: 11-04-2024 10:36 PM

The UMass women's basketball team fell in its season opener to Harvard, 71-58, on Monday at Lavietes Pavilion in Cambridge.

The Minutewomen led, 15-12, after the first quarter, however the Crimson outscored UMass, 20-6, in the second frame in what wound up being the difference in this non-conference matchup.

Trailing 32-21 at half, the Minutewomen (0-1) cut the deficit to three points late in regulation, yet Harvard sealed the victory with a 10-0 run in the final 44 seconds.

Allie Palmieri led UMass with 15 points and finished the night 3-for-5 from beyond the arc while Megan Olbrys snagged a team-best 13 rebounds and added eight points.

Yahmani McKayle (nine points) and Aleah Sorrentino (eight points) also had strong games for the Minutewomen, which shot a combined 44 percent from the field as a team.

Turnovers were crucial in this one as UMass concluded with more than double the amount of turnovers as the hosts (34-16).

UMass will return to action on Thursday when it hosts New Hampshire in its home-opener. Tip-off at the Mullins Center is set for 6 p.m. 

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