The victory marks just the second time in LEC tournament history that a number six seed has defeated the number three seed in 20 all-time match-ups. Keene State College defeated Eastern Connecticut State University, 54-51, in 1999.
The teams were tied at 12-12 with 13:25 showing in the first half, before Western Connecticut ripped off 11 straight points, capped by a three-pointer from sophomore guard Jennifer Kancler (Columbia, CT), to give the Colonials a 23-12 advantage with 9:38 left to play in the opening half. UMass Boston responded with five unanswered points from junior center Alicia Querusio (Somverville, MA) to pull to within 23-17 at 7:16 of the first session, but the Colonials shot back with a 13-5 burst to take a 36-22 lead with 2:50 remaining in the first half. Western Connecticut maintained its lead and took a 38-28 advantage into the break.
The Colonials busted out of the gate in the second half and never looked back, holding the Beacons to just 10 points over 13:29 into the second stanza, while scoring 31 points to take a 69-38 lead with 6:31 to play in the game. Western Connecticut cruised to the win from there.
The Colonials dominated the glass, owning a 50-25 rebounding advantage, led by Roberts. She was also 4-6 from three-point range and added three blocks in 25 minutes of action. Sophomore forward Isabella Henry (Coram, NY) came off the bench to net 10 points on 4-6 from the floor and grab seven rebounds to go with three assists and a pair of steals, while junior guard Ally Greenwood (East Hartford, CT) contributed with 11 points, six boards and five assists. Freshman forward Katie Moffo (Southington, CT) chipped in with 10 points on 4-6 from the field, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 19 minutes off the bench and sophomore guard Alyssa McGhee (Hartford, CT) dropped in 11 points, while coming up with two steals and a rebound.
Junior guard LaKeisha Tucker (Pawtucket, RI) led UMass Boston with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and added a blocked shot, while Querusio finished with 11 points on 5-8 from the floor in addition to three rebounds in 13 minutes of action. Senior guard Kristen Reske (Duxbury, MA) played in her 102nd career game to tie Andreen Gilpin (1998-2003) for the all-time UMB mark and netted 11 points and added three rebounds.
The Beacons have met the criteria to compete in the ECAC New England Post-Season Tournament and will await their fate on Monday, February 26.
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Newspaper Box Score Western Connecticut vs UMass Boston 2/20/07 7:00 p.m. at Boston, MA - Clark Athletic Center At Boston, MA - Clark Athletic Center WESTERN CONNECTICUT 87, UMASS BOSTON 52 WESTERN CONNECTICUT (15-11) Stacey Roberts 8-17 2-4 22; Ally Greenwood 4-9 3-4 11; Alyssa McGhee 3-7 2-2 11; Katie Moffo 4-6 2-2 10; Isabella Henry 4-6 2-3 10; Colleen Smith 2-5 2-2 7; Mallory Stevens 1-3 4-5 6; Jennifer Kancler 2-6 0-0 5; Rebecca McGee 1-1 0-0 3; Nia Harmon 1-3 0-0 2; Jessica Flacke 0-0 0-0 0; Catherine Dinda 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-63 17-22 87. UMASS BOSTON (15-11) LaKeisha Tucker 5-13 3-3 13; Alicia Querusio 5-8 1-3 11; Kristen Reske 4-10 0-0 11; Lydia Coverdale 2-6 5-10 9; Leanne Meninger 2-7 0-0 4; Denise B. Ridge 1-7 2-2 4; Marcia Beatty 0-0 0-0 0; Courtney Meninger 0-0 0-0 0; Caroline Ashe 0-3 0-0 0; Ashley Ryder 0-0 0-0 0; Jenn Widener 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-55 11-18 52. Western Connecticut........... 38 49 - 87 UMass Boston.................. 28 24 - 52 3-point goals--Western Connecticut 10-20 (Stacey Roberts 4-6; Alyssa McGhee 3-7; Jennifer Kancler 1-3; Colleen Smith 1-3; Rebecca McGee 1-1), UMass Boston 3-14 (Kristen Reske 3-5; Denise B. Ridge 0-2; Caroline Ashe 0-1; Jenn Widener 0-1; LaKeisha Tucker 0-5). Fouled out--Western Connecticut-Mallory Stevens, UMass Boston-None. Rebounds--Western Connecticut 50 (Stacey Roberts 10), UMass Boston 25 (LaKeisha Tucker 5). Assists--Western Connecticut 18 (Ally Greenwood 5), UMass Boston 10 (LaKeisha Tucker 4). Total fouls--Western Connecticut 15, UMass Boston 20. Technical fouls--Western Connecticut-None, UMass Boston-Leanne Meninger. A-225 Quarterfinals - 2007 Little East Conference Women's Basketball Tournament #3 Seed UMass Boston vs. #6 Seed Western Connecticut State University