EMU Drops a Heartbreaker at UMass

Box score.

AMHERST, Mass. – Freshman Alyssa Pittman scored 27 points and senior Sarah VanMetre collected her fourth double-double of the season, but it was not enough as the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team fell to the University of Massachusetts, 83-80, Wednesday night here at the Mullins Center.

Eastern overcame a 17-point first half deficit by taking a brief lead late in the second period, but in the end it was the Minutewomen walking away with the non-conference victory.

The win pushed UMass’ record to 9-2 on the season and extended their home court winning streak to 10 games, the 12th longest in the nation. On the other side, the setback evened EMU’s mark at 4-4.

Pittman led all-scorers with a career-best 27 points, including the seven three-pointers which is one shy of the school-record. VanMetre finished with 17 points and 13 boards in 31 minutes of work. Junior Patrice McKinney was the third Eagles to reach double-digits with 19 points along with dishing a team-best six assists.

Four players poured in double figures in points, led by Kate Mills with 20 points. Tamara Tatham scored 16; Kim Benton added 15; and Pam Rosanio chipped in 11.

After shooting 66.7 percent from the floor in the first half, the Minutewomen finished with a 52.9 clip (27-of-51). The Eagles also shot a respectable 39.7 percent (29-of-73) from the floor, but stepped it up from three-point land by shooting at a rate of 41.4 percent (12-of-29).

Both teams shot well in the first half, but it was UMass who could not miss. With the score tied at 12-12, UMass rolled off seven consecutive points in the next two minutes to take a 19-12 lead. The host school followed it up with a 13-2 run over the next 3:13 to open up a 16-point lead, 34-18, with 6:50 left in the period.

The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half, as the Minutewomen took a 48-33 lead into the locker room. UMass shot an off-the-charts 66.7 percent (20-of-30) from the floor in the first half to go along with an 85.7 (6-of-7) clip from three-point land. On the other side of the court, EMU shot a respectable 45.2 percent (14-of-31) from the floor but turned the ball over nine times leading to 15 UMass points.

Following the break, the Eagles came out of the gates quickly in the second half. Pittman drained a three-pointer and then a steal and layup by junior Brittany Tyson cut the lead to 10 points, 48-38. However, UMass pushed its lead back to 15 points, 54-40.

Eastern would not quit, as the squad kept chipping away to get within seven points, 60-53, via another Pittman trey forcing another UMass timeout. The timeout did not slow down the Eagles though as a Kendra Gallert three-pointer cut UMass' lead to just four points.

Eastern Michigan remained on fire as VanMetre drained a triple to pull the Eagles within a pair at 65-63 with just under eight minutes left. It was the closest that the Eagles had been since it was 12-12. The Eagles dominated the offensive boards and used second, third and even fourth chances to score in the second half while forcing UMass to keep turning the ball over.

Another VanMetre trifecta made it a one-point game, 67-66, with 6:37 to play. Following a basket by Pam Rosanio, Pittman tied the game at 69-69 with a three at the five-minute mark. Freshman Kelly Watts followed it up with a pair of free throws to give EMU its first lead since it was 5-4 at the 17:45 mark of the first half.

There were two ties and four lead changes in the next minute and a half until the Minutewomen took a lead they would not relinquish on basket by Rosanio at the 2:38 mark. The Minutewomen pushed their lead to three points, 79-76, on a pair of free throws.

Then the scoring went silent for both squads until McKinney went to the charity stripe with :27 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, EMU immediately fouled Benton who made both her free throws to put UMass up 81-77 with :26 seconds left.

Once again the Eagles had an answer, as VanMetre connected on her third three-point field goal of the game with :14 seconds left to cut UMass' lead to one, 81-80. Benton was fouled again and this time she made just one leaving the door open for Eastern Michigan.

McKinney drove to the basket and laid up a shot that rimmed out, UMass grabbed the carom and forced EMU to foul to stop the clock. Tamara Tatham went to the line but was only able to make one, leaving EMU one last chance down three-points, 83-80, with five seconds left. Pittman had a look, but her shot bounced off the back of the rim as Massachusetts was able to hold on for the victory.

Eastern continues its five-game road trip Sunday afternoon, Dec. 17, against Illinois State University. Game time is set for 2:05 p.m. at Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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