UMass Boston's Lydia Vital (3) and Western's Jancy Sherwood (30) dive for the ball under Western's basket in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.Behind them are Boston's Shania Osborne (15) , of Fairfield, Conn, and Raven Kelsey (34). less
UMass Boston's Lydia Vital (3) and Western's Jancy Sherwood (30) dive for the ball under Western's basket in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Western's Megan Hasty (22) brings the ball up court in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn. less
Western's Megan Hasty (22) brings the ball up court in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Western's Faith Thurmond (44) sticks with UMass Boston's Lydia Vital (3) as she brings the ball up court in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn. less
Western's Faith Thurmond (44) sticks with UMass Boston's Lydia Vital (3) as she brings the ball up court in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Western's Genesis Torres (23), of Stratford, Conn, goes to the basket over UMass Boston's Joie Grassi (1) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn. less
Western's Genesis Torres (23), of Stratford, Conn, goes to the basket over UMass Boston's Joie Grassi (1) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Western's Tashai Price (14) goes to the basket past UMass Boston's Joie Grassi (1) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn. less
Western's Tashai Price (14) goes to the basket past UMass Boston's Joie Grassi (1) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Western's Frances Snyder (2) drive to the basket past UMass Boston's Alecia Quinones (13) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn. less
Western's Frances Snyder (2) drive to the basket past UMass Boston's Alecia Quinones (13) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Western's Jancy Sherwood (30) and Faith Thurmond (44), from Seymour, Conn, box in UMass Boston's Jalani Jackson (11) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn. less
Western's Jancy Sherwood (30) and Faith Thurmond (44), from Seymour, Conn, box in UMass Boston's Jalani Jackson (11) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Western's Faith Thurmond (44), from Seymour, Conn, chases down UMass Boston's Raven Kelsey (34) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn. less
Western's Faith Thurmond (44), from Seymour, Conn, chases down UMass Boston's Raven Kelsey (34) in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Western's Faith Thurmond (44), of Seymour, Conn, goes to the basket over UMass Boston's Shania Osborne , of Fairfield, Conn, in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn. less
Western's Faith Thurmond (44), of Seymour, Conn, goes to the basket over UMass Boston's Shania Osborne , of Fairfield, Conn, in the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Western head coach Kimberley Rybezyk during the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn. less
Western head coach Kimberley Rybezyk during the women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Women's basketball game between UMass Boston and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, at the O'Neill Center on the WCSU Westside campus, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
DANBURY — The UMass Boston women’s basketball team remained undefeated in Little East Conference action with a victory over Western Connecticut State on Saturday — although it took all the Beacons had to hold off the Colonials.
Western trailed by 11 early in the third quarter and rallied to take a four-point lead early in the fourth quarter, only to succumb to a 81-73 defeat.
“Western did a great job. They made us work for every single possession and every shot we took,” said Beacons forward Raven Kelsey, who had 12 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, four blocks and four steals. “Nothing was easy. So to be able to pull it out, knowing we worked our hardest, it feels great.”
Joie Grassi led UMass Boston (14-1, 5-0 LEC) with 15 points and added five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals. Freshman Shania Osborne, a former standout at Fairfield Warde High School, added eight points and eight rebounds.
For Western (9-7, 2-3 LEC), Jancy Sherwood scored a game-high 21 points and Frances Snyder scored 11. Jessica Davis chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds, and former New Fairfield High School star Sydney Gouveia, who tallied a double-double in the Colonials’ win over Keene State on Wednesday, added nine points and 10 rebounds.
“They put themselves in a position to win the game, and that’s all you ask,” Western coach Kimberley Rybczyk said. “And all the young kids are getting better every day.”
TURNING POINT
Gouveia gathered an offensive rebound and laid it back up and in to give Western its biggest lead — 61-57 — with 8:51 remaining. That lead lasted less than a minute. The Beacons’ Tahjai Mazyck hit a runner with 8:19 remaining to tie the game at 62, then banked home a short jumper from the lane to untie it for good with 7:15 remaining.
The Beacons extended their lead to nine twice in the final five minutes and change. The Colonials trimmed their deficit to four when Faith Thurmond laid one in off an assist from Kaitlyn LaBonte with 2:27 remaining, but the Colonials came no closer.
rgregory@newstimes.com; Twitter @DanburySports
UMASS BOSTON 81, WESTERN CONNECTICUT 73
UMASS BOSTON (14-1, 5-0 LEC)
Joie Grassi 6 2-4 15; Alecia Quinones 5 0-0 10; Raven Kelsey 5 2-2 12; Lydia Vital 1 1-2 4; Katie Mathieu 5 2-2 12; Maia Daugherty 1 0-0 2; Whitney Fulton 2 0-0 4; Jalani Jackson 0 3-4 3; Tahjai Mazyck 3 1-2 7; Shania Osborne 3 2-4 8; Niyera Mitchell 3 2-4 8; Sarah St. Surin 0 0-0 0; Geanna Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals: 33 13-20 81.
WESTERN CONNECTICUT (9-7, 2-3 LEC)
Tashai Price 1 3-4 5; Faith Thurmond 3 0-4 6; Jessica Davis 4 1-3 9; Megan Hasty 1 0-0 3; Jancy Sherwood 7 1-2 21; Kathiana Monestime 3 0-0 7; Frances Snyder 4 1-1 11; Kaitlyn LaBonte 0 0-0 0; Genesis Torres 0 0-0 0; Emma Belcourt 1 0-0 2; Sydney Gouveia 3 3-4 9. Totals: 27 9-18 73.
UMASS BOSTON23 14 18 26 — 81
WESTERN CONNECTICUT14 15 28 16 — 73
3-pointers: UMB—Grassi, Vital; WC—Sherwood 6, Snyder 2, Hasty, Monestime.