AMHERST, Mass. (March 20, 2025) – The Stonehill College women's basketball team made its postseason debut in the WNIT at the Mullins Center Thursday night, falling in a first-ever matchup against the University of Massachusetts, 86-40, as the Skyhawks 2024-25 season comes to a close.
 
Leaders
Sophomore Breana Delaney (Marlboro, N.J.) led Stonehill in scoring for the first time in her career, pacing the team with a career-high 15 points, making a career-high three three-pointers with two rebounds and a steal.
 
Senior Maureen Stapleton (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) led the Skyhawks in rebounding with seven, while she and senior Sharn Hayward (Penguin, Tasmania) led Stonehill's passing attack as Stapleton tallied five assists and Hayward recorded four.
 
UMass had four double-digit scorers, led by Megan Olbrys, who had 20 points and nine rebounds with three assists, a block, and a steal. Yahmani McKayle recorded a triple-double, while Allie Palmieri had a double-double for the Minutewomen. McKayle had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Palmieri scored 11 points with 10 boards.
 
How it Happened
Freshman Sydney McLaughlin (Hanover, N.H.) got the Skyhawks on the board with a three-pointer to halt a 5-0 start for the Minutewomen. Delaney knocked down a three-pointer to pull the Skyhawks within one, 7-6, and Stapleton gave Stonehill the lead with a three-pointer that made the score 11-10. UMass ended the quarter on a 6-0 run, taking a 16-11 lead after the first.
 
The Minutewomen won the second quarter 21-10, fueled by a 15-5 advantage on the glass with 10 offensive rebounds and 12 second-chance points. UMass went into the halftime break up 16 points, 37-21.
 
UMass started the second half on a 23-4 run, building its largest lead of the game, 60-25. The Minutewomen ended the third quarter ahead by 41, 70-29. UMass led the rest of the way, closing out the WNIT win by a score of 86-40.

Noteworthy

• This was the first meeting between Stonehill and Massachusetts as well as the Skyhawks WNIT debut.
• Delaney led the Skyhawks in scoring for the first time in her career and finished in double figures for the third time in her career. Her career-high of 15 points came in 27 minutes as she went 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 from deep.
• Stapleton led Stonehill in rebounding for the 10th time this season and the 33rd time in her career. She also led Stonehill in assists for the 13th time this season and the 23rd time of her career.
• Hayward closes out her career fifth all-time in three-pointers made in Stonehill history with 202. Her 111 three-pointers made this season mark a new Skyhawk single-season record.
• Stonehill's 80.2% (295-368) clip from the free throw line is the fifth-best mark in the country.
• The Skyhawks 17 wins are the most in a season since transitioning to the Division I level in 2022-23. Their 11 wins in league play are also the most since joining the NEC.

Up Next

• Stonehill women's basketball closed out its 2024-25 campaign with a 17-16 record overall and an 11-5 record in Northeast Conference play. This marked the Skyhawk's third Division I campaign, improving their win total by 13 games from a season ago.

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