AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts women's basketball team could not overcome 16 first-half turnovers and 17-point halftime deficit and suffered its first loss of the season Wednesday night at the Mullins Center.

The Minutewomen (1-1) lost 82-52 to St. John's University (2-0).

UMass coach Marnie Dacko said the size of the Red Storm was a big factor in the loss.

"We just didn't have the touches," Dacko said. "Their perimeter pressure hurt us. I think we need to use this game as a learning tool to move forward and to be able to understand how important rebounding is."

St. John's dominated the paint throughout the contest and finished with a 42-35 edge in rebounds.

The Red Storm's quick play flustered the Minutewomen who committed a total of 27 turnovers.

St. John's used its press to clog the passing lanes set up by guards Diatiema Hill, Megan Zullo and Kim Benton. UMass guards were limited to 17 points.

The Minutewomen connected on just four-of-13 3-point shots. Cerie Mosgrove was two-of-five from behind the arc and finished with eight points and six rebounds.

Kristina Danella led UMass with 16 points and seven rebounds, and freshman Jasmine Watson contributed 14 points off the bench in the second game of her collegiate career.

Minutewoman sophomore center Nicole Jones scored three points in the second half after sitting most of the first half when she committed two fouls in the first five minutes of the game.

Dacko said of the loss of Jones in the first half, "I think it's hard but you know what, we got beat in every position on the floor."

UMass went into the second half trailing 40-23 and failed to cut the Red Storm's lead to less than 13 points.