The University of Massachusetts women's basketball team could not overcome a 17-point halftime deficit and lost 69-54 to St. Bonaventure Tuesday night at the Mullins Center.

After the Bonnies (17-6, 5-3 Atlantic 10) increased their lead to 24 points in the second half, they went without a field goal for 11 minutes, eight seconds. But the Minutewomen (8-14, 2-5) were able to cut the deficit just to 13.

Jasmine Watson and Stephanie Lawrence each scored 12 points for UMass. Lawrence tied for game high in rebounds with six.

The Minutewomen will host Fordham at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mullins Center on National Girls and Women in Sports Day.