The Massachusetts Women’s basketball team lost a tight contest to the Holy Cross Crusaders 75-70 on Wednesday night. The Minutewomen now fall to 2-3 and have snapped their two-game win streak.

An onslaught of threes made by Holy Cross was the theme of the night on Wednesday. The Crusaders entered the game shooting 33.8 percent from three and averaging 5.5 per game. They had a night in Amherst shooting 44 percent and making 11 threes. 

In contrast, UMass went 0-of-7, and it’s the first time since March 19, 2021, against Villanova that they didn’t make a single three. There were early signs that it would be a good night from three for the Crusaders when Mary-Elizabeth Donnelly scored their first basket from beyond the arc. 

“We just didn’t quite make enough of those [winning] plays tonight,” head coach Mike Leflar said. “Holy Cross’ physicality sped us up on the offensive side, we couldn’t get into some offenses we typically run … we let some scoring droughts affect our defensive intensity on some rotations, ball screens … we lacked the intensity in those moments tonight.”

UMass fought hard to the end and started the game well. The Minutewomen found their rhythm going on a 10-0 run in the first quarter leading by eight points, but Holy Cross ended that run with a three. Stefanie Kulesza was the spark of the offense in the first with eight points. The senior guard ended the game with a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

“I think [Kulesza] showed some bounce back the last week or so of practice,” Leflar said. “I’m really excited to see her trending in a great direction and feeling good about her game individually, but also feeling good about what this team can be … I was excited to see her get double-digit rebounds … get some post-ups and get to the free throw line all important things for her.”

Four of the five starters for UMass were in double figures for points. Aleah Sorrentino had 11 points off 4-of-7 shooting with four rebounds. Sorrentino had a scare in the second quarter where she fell down, rolled her ankle, and went to the locker room. She came back for the third quarter and scored six of her 11 points.

Megan Olbrys continued her streak of good performance with 14 points shooting 6-of-11 from the field, grabbing eight boards while adding four assists. Allie Palmieri was the last person in the double-figures club with 12 points. The senior didn’t have her best shooting night shooting 25 percent, but had six rebounds and made 6-of-8 free throws.

UMass kept Holy Cross to only making one three in the third quarter off of six attempts. The Minutewomen were able to get the lead back to eight points due to a stretch of baskets, but couldn’t get the game out of reach.

The fourth quarter is where UMass lost control of the game. Holy Cross made three consecutive threes to start the quarter, while UMass had three poor offensive possessions that featured an offensive foul, a turnover and a blocked shot. 

Holy Cross got out to a five-point lead with under five minutes to go, but UMass had a small 5-0 run to tie it up at 63. Starting with Olbrys forcing a turnover and scoring a layup. Followed by a converted and-one by Yahmani McKayle. UMass failed to use the momentum they had as they went into a scoring drought that lasted two minutes. Holy Cross would prevail and seal the game up at the free throw line. 

“They spaced the floor well, they exposed some ball screen coverages,” Leflar said. “It was less about scheme and just more about the intensity to rotate, and I thought at times we were just slower than the ball moved and that can’t be … If you want to win games like that it’s got to be consistent for 40 minutes.”

UMass dominated the points in the paint 44 to 24 accruing for a 20-point differential. Also, the Minutewomen got to the line seven more times than Holy Cross, making 20-of-27 from the line. Where the Minutewomen lost the math battle is the 33-point differential Holy Cross had in the three-points department. Additionally, the Crusaders forced UMass into 19 turnovers and had 12 steals and three blocks.

“There’s good signs in there,” Leflar said. “Our group is still learning how to win, and they can’t leave a locker room hanging their heads, and I didn’t go in there and raise hell … I was like guys let’s get better watch the film tomorrow, and we have a test Saturday and let’s bounce back.”

UMass will have the chance to bounce back when they take on Army on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. as they end their five-game homestand.