WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Powered by a dominant first half, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth women's basketball team defeated Eastern Connecticut, 92-54, in their first Little East Conference matchup of the season. The Corsairs improved to 6-1 and begin their conference schedule 1-0. The Warriors dip to 3-5 and suffer their first conference loss, bringing them to 1-1 in the LEC.
UMass Dartmouth's defense made an early statement in the first half where Eastern Connecticut was held to just 8 of 30 from the field (26.7%). UMass Dartmouth went into the second quarter with a 23-15 lead. Senior
Carly Whiteside scored six early points in the first quarter.
The Corsairs took off in the second quarter, outscoring the Warriors 31-8. UMD took off early in the second quarter with a 13-2 explosion in the first four minutes of the quarter. Junior
Amaris Mills and sophomore
Tyah Pettaway paired for eight and seven points, respectively, in that run. Senior
Teja Andrews put up five points, going three for three from the free throw line as the Corsairs coasted into the half with a 54-23 lead.
UMass Dartmouth kept a comfortable distance throughout the second half. Whiteside owned the paint and six quick points in the third quarter. The Corsairs led 75-44 to start the fourth quarter. Whiteside and Mills continued to add on to their big days offensively. Mills led the team and tied with Eastern junior Taylor Salato for the game-high with 19. The Corsairs' reserves saw some time in the fourth quarter, with sophomore
Kasey Oliver and freshmen
Gabby Barnes and
Shelby Companion finding themselves on the scoresheet.
The Corsairs' defense was stifling, limiting the Warriors field goal percentage to just 29.9% for the game. UMass Dartmouth also caused 18 turnovers and scored 25 points on the other side of them. The Corsairs also saw 44 points come from their bench to Eastern's 19.
Leading the way for UMass Dartmouth was Mills with 19 points with three steals and three assists. She also went a perfect 3/3 from deep. Whiteside added 18 of her own on 7 of 9 from the field with four rebounds. Andrews went a perfect 7/7 from the charity stripes on her way to 15 points. Pettaway went 6 for 7 from the floor and scored 13 with eight rebounds.
For the Warriors, Salato finished with 19 points, five rebounds and two steals. First year Nevaeh Clark scored nine, making her only three-point attempt and both her free throws. Eastern Connecticut saw 14 players see time on the court.
UMass Dartmouth was receiving votes in the latest D3Hoops National Ballot. The Corsairs return to their home court for a conference meeting with the Panthers from Plymouth State. Tipoff is set for 1:00pm in the Tripp Athletic Center.
