McCormick Enjoys Great Start For UMass

AMHERST, Mass. – AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball was defeated by Merrimack, 79-64, on Tuesday night at the Mullins Center in both teams' season-opener. Junior Paige McCormick of Heuvelton was just short of a career-high with 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting, and sophomore Destiney Philoxy (13 points) along with senior Vashnie Perry (11 points) contributed double-figure scoring performances.

McCormick's eight rebounds led the team, and Philoxy logged six assists to go with four steals which were both team-highs. McCormick was hindered by injuries after a solid start to her sophomore season.

The injuries are definitely behind her as McCormick had a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) and freshman Maeve Donnelly was just short with 12 rebounds and nine blocks, as the Minutewomen defeated UMass Dartmouth, 89-39, on Oct. 28.

On Tuesday Merrimack sophomore Destiney Philoxy led all scorers with 23 points on the night, also dishing out seven assists, while senior Vashnie Perry added 20 points, eight steals and six boards. Momentum swung UMass' way early in the fourth quarter with a 9-2 run to open the frame. The stretch also saw the Minutewomen press Merrimack into a 10-second violation after a Sydney Taylor layup, and force the Warriors into a five-second call on an inbounds pass. But the squad would get no closer than six on senior Hailey Leidel's quick steal and layup with 7:38 on the clock.

For the night, the Minutewomen committed just seven turnovers, while forcing 14 for Merrimack and turning that into 19 points.

Massachusetts is back on the Mullins Center hardwood on Sat., Nov. 9 as the squad plays host to Providence in a 2 p.m. game that will be aired on ESPN+.

Heuvelton's Paige McCormick takes a jumper for UMass and is off to a great start to here junior season.