BGSU women’s basketball (10-9, 3-5 MAC) lost 65-64 to the UMass Minutewomen (14-4, 6-2 MAC) on Saturday at the Mullins Center.
The conference foes were supposed to face off on Sunday. But due to an incoming winter storm, the game was moved up to an 11 a.m. start time on Saturday.
Despite the challenges of moving up the game, fast pacing was not an issue in the morning matchup, as both teams flew down the court in a first quarter that ended 21-20, with UMass leading.
For Bowling Green’s offense, it was sophomore forward Lauren Gerken, with her seven points in the opening period, to kickstart the action. Gerken’s 18 points on the day is her season-high, and slightly below the 20-point mark that she achieved last season.
Junior forward Taya Ellis’ 20 points in the game is a new career-high. With her perfect 9-for-9 shooting and her nine rebounds, her 20 points against the Minutewomen is a higher total than her previous five games of action.
The forward duo kept the Falcons in the game at halftime, where UMass led 34-32. A half-court heave at the buzzer is how UMass snatched the lead heading into the locker room.
On the Minutewomen’s side, graduate guard Allie Palmieri’s 20 points and three 3-pointers cost the Falcons all throughout the game. Palmieri hit a big triple in the fourth quarter that shifted the momentum of the game.
Palmieri’s teammates also showcased scoring at a high level. Sophomore guard Yahmani McKayle and senior forward Megan Olbrys each scored 16 points. As 52 of UMass’ 65 points spread across the three players.
In a game with 20 lead changes, scoring off turnovers proved to be a way for Bowling Green to stay in the game. BG’s 19 points off turnovers outpaced UMass’ nine.
The overall turnover battle slightly favors BG, as their 19 turnovers is just under the Minutewomen’s 20. UMass came into the game with the strategy of speeding up the Falcons’ offense. As they full-court pressed on numerous occasions, BG had to fight to move the ball past half-court.
Down the stretch, it remained close, as both teams continued to respond to each other’s baskets. As the score suggests, the final minute was still tense for everyone in the arena.
In the closing minute of the game and down two, the Orange and Brown had a prime chance to score. Sophomore guard Johnea Donahue’s open layup just couldn’t fall and BG was forced to intentionally foul.
Following a trip to the line for UMass, the Falcons still had a chance down three. Junior guard Paige Kohler inbounded to Gerken, who then took a contested shot from beyond the arc. The shot fell short, and Ellis’ basket at the buzzer was only a two-pointer underneath the basket.
Bowling Green has lost three consecutive conference games, and two defeats came at the cost of a missed shot at the buzzer.
On Wednesday, the Falcons will host the Akron Zips in the Stroh Center at 7 p.m.
