
Photo by: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
Bulls Host UMass in WNIT Second Round
3/22/2025 11:01:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's basketball team (25-7, 13-5 MAC) hosts UMass in the second round of the WNIT on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Arena at 2pm. It is the second straight, and third overall, WNIT appearance for the Bulls.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Matt Mattia (play-by-play) and Jared Zeidman (color) announcing and can be heard on 1520 AM and the Varsity Network with Jack Kreuzer on the call.
This is just the sixth overall meeting between Buffalo and UMass with the Bulls owning a 3-2 series edge, most recently a 61-47 win at Alumni Arena in 2016.
Buffalo enters the postseason with a 25-7 overall record after finishing with a 13-5 league mark. Three Bulls earned all-conference honors, highlighted by Chellia Watson who received First-Team All-MAC recognition. Sophomore Kirsten Lewis-Williams earned Second Team All-MAC honors and Noelani Cornfield was named to the All-Defensive Team.
The Bulls are led offensively by Watson who leads the MAC and ranks in the top 20 nationally in total points (649), points per game (20.3), field goals made (249) and attempted (562). Lewis-Williams is averaging 13.5 points per game while leading the team in rebounding (5.5 rpg) and Cornfield is also averaging in double figures at 10.7 ppg, while leading the team and ranking 20th nationally in assists per game (5.5) and 23rd in total assists (170).
As a team, the Bulls led the league in scoring offense (73.2), scoring margin (+13.7), field goal percentage (.458), 3FG defense (.283), assists (16.3), and turnover margin (+7.2) while also ranking in the top three in scoring defense (59.5), field goal defense (.383), steals per game (10.5) and free throw percentage (.765).
The UMass Minutewomen enter Sunday's second round game with a 17-14 overall record after defeating Stonehill 86-40 in the opening round. They increased their overall win total by 12 from a season ago, while adding nine more conference victories. The Minutewomen are balanced offensively with three players scoring in double figures, led by Third-Team All-Conference selection Megan Olbrys who is averaging just under a double-double at 14.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. A-10 Rookie of the Year Yahmani McKayle (13.5) and Allie Palmieri (12.2) are also averaging in double figures, with the former recording a triple double against Stonehill.
As a team the Minutewomen rank in the top 75 nationally in scoring defense (57.9), field goal defense (.379) and turnovers forced (18.2). They also ranked in the top three in the A-10 in assists per game (14.5), free throw percentage (.741) and turnover margin (+2.2). They have been solid on the glass as they have outrebounded their opponents 18 times this season, including setting single-game program records for total rebounds (62) and offensive rebounds (29) against the Skyhawks.
The winner of Sunday's game will advance to face the winner of Southern Indiana and Campbell in the Super 16. Date, time and location to be determined.
For all the latest on UB women's basketball, follow @UBWomensBasketball on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Matt Mattia (play-by-play) and Jared Zeidman (color) announcing and can be heard on 1520 AM and the Varsity Network with Jack Kreuzer on the call.
This is just the sixth overall meeting between Buffalo and UMass with the Bulls owning a 3-2 series edge, most recently a 61-47 win at Alumni Arena in 2016.
Buffalo enters the postseason with a 25-7 overall record after finishing with a 13-5 league mark. Three Bulls earned all-conference honors, highlighted by Chellia Watson who received First-Team All-MAC recognition. Sophomore Kirsten Lewis-Williams earned Second Team All-MAC honors and Noelani Cornfield was named to the All-Defensive Team.
The Bulls are led offensively by Watson who leads the MAC and ranks in the top 20 nationally in total points (649), points per game (20.3), field goals made (249) and attempted (562). Lewis-Williams is averaging 13.5 points per game while leading the team in rebounding (5.5 rpg) and Cornfield is also averaging in double figures at 10.7 ppg, while leading the team and ranking 20th nationally in assists per game (5.5) and 23rd in total assists (170).
As a team, the Bulls led the league in scoring offense (73.2), scoring margin (+13.7), field goal percentage (.458), 3FG defense (.283), assists (16.3), and turnover margin (+7.2) while also ranking in the top three in scoring defense (59.5), field goal defense (.383), steals per game (10.5) and free throw percentage (.765).
The UMass Minutewomen enter Sunday's second round game with a 17-14 overall record after defeating Stonehill 86-40 in the opening round. They increased their overall win total by 12 from a season ago, while adding nine more conference victories. The Minutewomen are balanced offensively with three players scoring in double figures, led by Third-Team All-Conference selection Megan Olbrys who is averaging just under a double-double at 14.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. A-10 Rookie of the Year Yahmani McKayle (13.5) and Allie Palmieri (12.2) are also averaging in double figures, with the former recording a triple double against Stonehill.
As a team the Minutewomen rank in the top 75 nationally in scoring defense (57.9), field goal defense (.379) and turnovers forced (18.2). They also ranked in the top three in the A-10 in assists per game (14.5), free throw percentage (.741) and turnover margin (+2.2). They have been solid on the glass as they have outrebounded their opponents 18 times this season, including setting single-game program records for total rebounds (62) and offensive rebounds (29) against the Skyhawks.
The winner of Sunday's game will advance to face the winner of Southern Indiana and Campbell in the Super 16. Date, time and location to be determined.
For all the latest on UB women's basketball, follow @UBWomensBasketball on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
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