The Massachusetts women's basketball team found an opportune time to take its first lead in its home opener Sunday afternoon against Manhattan.
Senior guard Sakera Young hit one of two free throws with two seconds remaining to break the tie as the Minutewomen came back from a 19-point halftime deficit to defeat Manhattan, 71-68, at the Mullins Center.
After a layup by UMass' Diatiema Hill tied the game at 68 with a minute remaining, Manhattan had the ball with under 10 seconds to go with a chance to win. But Kelly Regan's shot went in-and-out, as the game appeared headed to overtime.
But an offensive foul was called on Nadia Peters on the rebound attempt, sending Young to the line for two shots with 1.9 seconds left.
Young hit her first free throw, but grabbed her own rebound on the second shot and hit a soft layup to seal the victory for the Minutewomen.
"As a senior I knew I had to knock them down and lead by example and show heart," Young said after the game. "I wasn't thinking and I just made sure I made one of them."
UMass coach Marnie Dacko felt that she could rely on her senior guard to win the game for her team after such a hard-fought comeback.
"She's a great foul shooter and she's great at practice and was great last year," Dacko said. "I said 'you're a senior, ice the cake for us.' And she did."
Fellow senior guard Stefanie Gerardot added 24 points and a team-high seven rebounds in a game that was characterized by sloppy defensive play and unforced turnovers by UMass in the first half.
Both teams traded baskets early in the game, but back-to-back 3-pointers from guard Alyssa Herrington put the Jaspers up 12 points with just over 10 minutes to go in the first half.
The visiting team continued to dominate offensively throughout the first half with help from Herrington, Regan and Abby Wentworth.
"Their big people were killing us down low. We had an incredible time defending the screen and that starts with communication," Dacko said.
The Jaspers had eight turnovers at halftime, while the Minutewomen had trouble holding on to the ball, registering 17.
Seven different Minutewomen had at least two turnovers within the first half. Manhattan scored 17 points off of turnovers in the first half, but only six points in the second.
UMass also failed to connect on some easy layups, along with going 3-of-6 from the free-throw line and 0-for-8 from 3-point range.
"We really did self implode offensively and defensively in the first half," Dacko said. "I think our kids came back and played with a lot of heart, and took a defensive stand and had the defensive stand translate into offensive possessions."
Despite narrowing the lead and tightening up their defense, the Jaspers continued to score often in the second half.
Sophomore forward Teya Jones left the game early in the second half with a non-serious injury, leading to sophomore forward Valerie Avebe registering her first collegiate minutes after freshman Nicole Jones got into foul trouble.
The Cameroon native finished with five rebounds and six points, including two put-backs in the paint late in the game to help spark the UMass comeback.
"She's a great defensive player who can defend and jump with anybody, and she just played with a lot of determination and heart," Dacko said.
"I think it's a great morale boost and learning experience but we aren't going to be able to play like this and win too many games, so we have to get better," Dacko added.
David Brinch can be reached at dbrinch@student.umass.edu.
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