Whenever a team plays through a tough stretch of games, it is important to both identify and correct the areas the team is struggling with and highlight what the team is doing well, and then try to build off of that.

This strategy must be applied to the Massachusetts women’s basketball team, which is currently on a five-game losing streak. The Minutewomen (1-5) must work on identifying the factors that have influenced their results up to this point, as well as develop the successes they have experienced into solid cornerstones of their game.

Causes for Concern

On the offensive end of the floor, there have been some areas in which UMass has struggled to find consistent success, including ball security and free throw shooting.

In their first six games of the season, the Minutewomen have struggled severely with turnovers. While opponents have turned the ball over 75 times for an average of 12.5 turnovers per game, UMass has done so 117 times for an average of 19.5 turnovers per game. These turnovers have not only stunted many of the Minutewomen’s scoring drives, but have also led to many opposing scoring opportunities. Maintaining possession will prove invaluable to improving the offense, especially late in games.

Another area in need of addressing is UMass’ success rate at the free throw line. The Minutewomen have converted just over 63 percent of their free throws while opponents are converting over 71 percent. Though UMass has had fewer opportunities from the charity stripe than their opponents (93 compared to 118), the team’s lack of consistency has proven crucial in tight games.

Signs of Encouragement

Though they have lost their last five games, the Minutewomen have played well enough to win for the majority of them. In each one of those games (with the exception of the 81-56 loss to Miami of Ohio), UMass lost by only 12 points or less, including three games in which it only lost by five points or less. In each of these games, the team’s defensive play has been consistently tight with minimal mental mistakes. Multiple blocked shots and aggressive defensive pressure have kept opposing shooters off-balanced and unable to establish many large scoring runs.

Also promising is the Minutewomen’s ability to score when they maintain possession. UMass is outshooting its opponents both from beyond the arc (31 percent compared to 29.2 percent) and from the field overall (39.1 percent as opposed to 36.2 percent). The Minutewomen’s 3-point game, though not as dominant as it was last year, has again proven to be their biggest offensive threat, and with a more pronounced presence inside the paint, UMass is able to spread the floor more for their perimeter shooters.

Though UMass must work on maintaining possession in the offensive zone and completing more of its free-throw opportunities, the team is successfully maintaining a strong defense, while also developing a more balanced offensive game.

The primary concern for UMass should be its undesirable turnover margins. If the Minutewomen can develop ball security and add secondary scoring from the free throw line, then they should be able to improve on its 1-5 record.

David Martin can be reached at [email protected].