Sydney Taylor’s career day lifts UMass women’s basketball past Dayton, 79-60

Staff Reports

Published: 01-22-2023 4:06 PM

Sydney Taylor’s career day was more than enough to keep the UMass women’s basketball team rolling.

Taylor poured in a career-high 30 points, drilling 7 of 8 from 3-point range, as the Minutewomen routed Dayton, 79-60, in an Atlantic 10 Conference tilt on Sunday at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

Taylor was 11-of-12 from the field in total, helping UMass improve to 15-4 overall, 5-1 in the A10. It was the team’s fourth win in a row.

“When [Taylor’s] on, we’re really good and we’re really difficult to defend,” UMass head coach Tory Verdi said. “You look at it, we’re scoring on all three levels, and that’s what we need. Assists are connecting from the perimeter, and Ber’Nyah Mayo and those guys are knocking down 3-pointers, all of a sudden it allows for us to attack the interior as well.”

UMass led 18-13 after one quarter and 39-22 at halftime. The lead grew to 30-plus in the second half.

Sam Breen notched her 11th double-double of the season and 51st of her career, going for 18 points and 11 rebounds for UMass. Her 10th rebound of the outing was also the 1,000th of Breen’s career.

“[Breen] is putting herself in a position to do some special things, she’s a terrific player,” Verdi offered. “Regardless [if it’s] the WNBA or not, she’s going to have an opportunity to play and continue to play basketball after her time here at UMass.”

Destiney Philoxy had eight points and dished out six assists in the win, while Ber'Nyah Mayo (6 points, 5 assists) and Makennah White (9 points, 3 rebounds) also keyed the victory. UMass finished with 22 assists as a team.

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Holyoke man finds bear paw in his yard
Petition to block auto dealership on King Street falters in Northampton
First look at how little Amherst’s police alternative being used called troubling
Developer lands $400K loan for affordable housing project in Easthampton mill district
Developer pitches new commercial building on Route 9 in Hadley
Boyfriend accused in slaying of Hampden sheriff’s assistant, former legislator’s top aide

UMass outrebounded Dayton, 35-32, in a rematch of last year’s Atlantic 10 championship game, won by the Minutewomen en route to their NCAA Tournament appearance.

Next up, UMass hosts VCU on Field Trip Day at the Mullins Center. That game is scheduled for Thursday at noon.

]]>