UMass Minutewomen earn WNIT berth

AMHERST — The stellar turnaround of Mike Leflar and his UMass women’s basketball team has earned them a chance to play postseason basketball, as their final season representing the Atlantic 10 isn’t over quite yet.

After going 5-27 last winter, the Minutewomen finished this year 16-14, and they were given and accepted an invitation to the Women’s NIT bracket. Not only did UMass get in, it’s actually hosting a first-round game this week. The 48-team field kicks off on Thursday, and UMass hosts Stonehill (18-14) that evening at Mullins Center for a 6 p.m. tip off.

The winner of that matchup will take on the 25-7 Buffalo Bulls, which earned a first-round bye. The date, time and location for that game have not yet been determined.

UMass’ Atlantic 10 tournament run was cut much shorter than Leflar and the Minutewomen had hoped. After receiving a bye from the first round, No. 7 UMass fell 67-57 to No. 10 Saint Louis — a team it beat by 17 on the road in early January. The Minutewomen were down by 17 points entering the fourth quarter before outscoring the Billikens 25-18 to make it a respectable score at the final buzzer.

While UMass’ dreams of playing in the NCAA Tournament were thrown out the window, its overall body of work and impressive 11 conference wins helped get them an at-large WNIT bid. The Minutewomen, especially Stefanie Kulesza, who has had a terrific five-year career in Amherst, hope to make the most of their game(s) of the season.

Duquesne was the only other A-10 team to make the WNIT field. The Dukes also play on Thursday evening, hosting Longwood at 6 p.m.