DORCHESTER, Mass. - The Simmons College women's basketball team was defeated by host University of Massachusetts Boston, 78-38, tonight at the Clark Athletic Center on the campus of UMass Boston in Dorchester, Mass. The Sharks fall to 1-6 on the season, while the Beacons improve to 4-3.
The UMass Boston defense held Simmons to just 25.0% (12-48) shooting from the floor and forced 30 turnovers.
The Beacons scored the first eight points of the night, before the Sharks scored five of the next seven points, capped by a three-pointer from junior guard Jennifer Janiak (Chelmsford, Mass.) to pull them to within 10-5 at the 15:39 mark of the opening half. UMass Boston pulled away with a 21-3 stretch, including 15 unanswered points, fueled by six points from freshman guard Grace Geary (Falmouth, Mass.), to take a 31-8 advantage with 6:48 to go in the half. The Beacons maintained their lead and took a 41-14 cushion into halftime.
The UMass Boston offense continued to produce in the second half, scoring 14 of the first 18 points of the second stanza, led by eight points from junior forward Olivia Murphy (Canton, Mass.), to increase its lead to 55-18 with 13:12 showing in the second period. The Beacons owned a steady margin for the remainder of the contest.
Janiak finished with eight points, including a pair of three-pointers to go with a pair of steals, a rebound and an assist to lead Simmons. First year forward Presley Silva (Wilmington, Mass.) chipped in with seven points, three rebounds and a steal off the bench, while junior forward Nicole Alberghini (Northborough, Mass.) dropped in six points, grabbed four rebounds, came up with a steal, handed out an assist and blocked a shot.
Murphy finished with a game-high 16 points on 8-10 from the floor to lead UMass Boston and added two assists, two steals, a rebound and a block. Senior forward Brittany Moore (Billerica, Mass.) contributed with 10 points, seven boards and three assists, while Geary ended with 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Sharks return to the hardcourt after the New Year when they travel to Worcester, Mass. to take on Worcester Polytechnic Institute on January 3 at 2:00 p.m., while the Beacons host Westfield State University on December 11 at 5:30 p.m.