After an opening 53 seconds of scoreless play Sunday, sophomore Brittany Brown connected on a 3-pointer to give Florida State an opening 3-0 lead over the Massachusetts women’s basketball team.

The Seminoles never looked back for the remainder of the game, as they pulled away for a 73-47 victory over UMass in the final game of the Hospitality Hill Challenge in Denton, Texas.

The Seminoles’ offense, which averaged over 95 points per game coming into the matchup, had four players finish with double-digit points against the Minutewomen (2-3).

Adut Bulgak led Florida State with 13 points and added 11 rebounds for the game.

One bright spot for UMass was Rashida Timbilla, who contributed 15 points, six rebounds and finished 7-for-10 from the free throw line.

Despite having success down low in their previous two games – both wins –the Minutewomen were outrebounded 48-35 and out-scored 30-22 in the paint.

Turnovers continued to plague UMass as it totaled 22 giveaways, resulting in 25 points for the Seminoles. In comparison, Florida State totaled 14 turnovers.

UMass defeats North Texas

UMass opened the Hospitality Hill Challenge with a 54-36 North Texas.

The win gave the Minutewomen their second consecutive triumph, coming off their first victory of the season against Maine Wednesday night. It marked the first winning streak for UMass since last November.

After trailing by two points at the end of the first half, the Minutewomen outscored the Mean Green in the final frame 35-23 to pull away in a game that had seven lead changes.

Kim Pierre-Louis led the way offensively for UMass with 18 points on an efficient 8-for-12 shooting from the floor.

The senior led the Minutewomen in scoring for the second-straight game and for the third time in the first four games of the season. Pierre-Louis has contributed double-digit scoring efforts in every contest so far this season.

Kymber Hill added to UMass’ attack with 10 points and 10 rebounds to notch her first career double-double. Hill also led the team in rebounds for a second-consecutive game.

The Minutewomen dominated the glass Friday, holding a 47-25 rebounding advantage. Along with Hill, Timbilla was active on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds.

Senior Emily Mital (nine points) and redshirt junior Amber Dillon (eight) led UMass’ bench play to give the Minutewomen a 22-11 advantage in bench points. The duo finished a combined 7-for-10 from the free throw line.

After UMass took a 44-39 lead with just under six minutes to go in the game, North Texas went on a five-point run behind Breisha Wynn, who scored all five of the ensuing points.
But the Minutewomen closed the game on a 12-2 scoring run to secure the win.

UMass will have a week off until its next game when it faces Central Florida for the first of four consecutive games at Mullins Center Sunday at 2 p.m.

Frank Corona can be reached at [email protected].