BAYAMON, Puerto Rico – Powered by a solid second half, the UMass Dartmouth women's basketball team defeated Randolph College, 70-48 at the Puerto Rico Classico, hosted at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum on Thursday evening. The nationally-ranked Corsairs improve to 7-2 on the season, while the Wildcats are now 6-4 overall.
It was a back-and-forth contest between the Corsairs and the Wildcats - who were meeting for the first time - as Randolph opened the contest with an 18-11 advantage through the first 10 minutes. UMD responded in the second quarter as a layup from grad student forward
Carly Whiteside, closed the gap to 21-15 at 8:10 of the frame.
An ensuing layup from grad student guard
Teja Andrews helped narrow the margin further (21-17), but continued to answer as a jumper from Maddie Pabon at 4:42 once again opened a 26-17 advantage for Randolph. A layup, coupled with a pair of free throw makes from fifth-year guard
Kaylin Zalewski made it a three-point game (26-23) at 1:14, but it was Randolph adding free throws of their own to take a 28-23 lead into the intermission.
Out of the break, the Corsairs saw Zalewski turn up the heat, dropping in a quick layup, while a layup and a free throw from Whiteside tied the game at 28-all at the 7:06 mark. The Wildcats responded, but a three-pointer from grad student guard
Jane McCauley and a layup from Andrews saw UMass Dartmouth take the 33-30 lead.
The Corsairs went on to close out the third quarter with three point shots from Whiteside, McCauley and Zalewski to head into the final quarter with a 44-33 advantage.
That three-point groove continued in the final stanza as Zalewski and McCauley each dropped in shots from beyond the arc in to first two minutes for a 50-33 lead. The Wildcats connected, but four free throw makes from Zalewski saw the Corsairs with a 54-36 margin with 6:35 to play.
UMass Dartmouth continued to build its advantage with another three from McCauley landing at 3:03 for a 20-point differential (63-43). A jumper from sophomore guard Shely Companion came soon after and McCauley delivered the final blow with 51 seconds, hitting her fifth shot from beyond the arc in the game for the final margin.
The Corsairs – who outscored their opponent, 47-20 in the second half of play – were paced by a game-high 21 points from Zalewski. In addition to going 6-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-5 from three point range, she was 7-of-10 at the line, posting nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. McCauley added 19 points, including 5-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc, while Whiteside had 15 points. She went 6-of-11 from the floor, hit her only three pointer and was 2-of-3 at the free throw line, while posting seven boards, an assist and a game-best two blocks.
UMass Dartmouth returns to the court following the holiday season, hosting LEC-rival Eastern Connecticut State at 1pm in the Tripp Athletic Center.
