Thanks to an average of 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 assists in two games last week against Fordham and St. Bonaventure, Jasmine Watson earned her second A-10 Rookie of the Week award.

After winning their first game at the Mullins Center since Nov. 22, UMass coach Marnie Dacko is noticing that her team is starting to play much harder against opponents. She is also impressed with the improved play of freshman Jasmine Watson.

When it hosts Fordham on Saturday at the Mullins Center, the Massachusetts women’s basketball team will look to grab its third home win of the season. The game will be played on National Girls and Women in Sports Day and the Minutewomen, along with other UMass women’s teams, will offer a free clinic at Boyden Gymnasium beforehand.

Hot shooting by St. Bonaventure kept the Minutewomen out of the game on Tuesday night as the Bonnies rolled to a 69-54 victory. SBU finished with 57 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Despite not being at full strength, the Massachusetts women’s basketball team rallied from an 11-point deficit before losing to Duquesne, 63-54. Kristina Danella, the leading scorer for the Minutewomen, had 18 points on 5-of-6 three-point shooting, while guard Diatiema Hill scored 11 points and had seven rebounds and three assists.

A 2-5 record was not how the Minutewomen wanted to finish its winter break, but despite the poor record started out its conference schedule with some strong play.

The Massachusetts women’s basketball team has seen freshmen Jasmine Watson, Shakia Robinson and Dee Montgomery shine in their new roles with the Minutewomen. Watson has played an important part in improving the team’s defense.