UMass women’s basketball: URI scores layup in final seconds to defeat Minutewomen, 60-58

Staff Report

Published: 01-22-2025 9:18 PM

The UMass women’s basketball team lost in heartbreaking fashion to Rhode Island on a last-second layup, falling 60-58, on Wednesday at the Ryan Center.

Sophia Vital scored the deciding basket for the Rams, which also counted as her only two points of the contest, with one second remaining in the game.

Minutewomen junior Megan Olbrys previously evened the score at 58-58 with 16 seconds to go, however Rhode Island called a timeout immediately after and drew up the final play of the game.

Olbrys had 13 points for UMass, which trailed freshman Yahmani McKayle’s team-high 16. Stefanie Kulesza also eclipsed double-digits with 12 points.

The Minutewomen shot 41 percent from the field but made just 1-of-5 baskets from beyond the arc. The Rams were 39 percent from the field, but hit seven 3-pointers.

Sophie Phillips had a game-high 20 points while Harsimram Kaur was next with 16 points for Rhode Island.

UMass trailed 30-25 at halftime, but managed to tie the game at 40 apiece heading into the fourth quarter.

The Minutewomen drop to 9-10 and 4-4 in Atlantic-10 play following the defeat.

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UMass heads to Virginia next where it’ll face off against VCU on Saturday, Jan. 25.

Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.