PHILADELPHIA - Playing with a shortened bench due to injuries, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team dropped its first Atlantic 10 home game of the season on Saturday as the Hawks fell to Massachusetts, 65-47, at Hagan Arena.
With just eight players in uniform, the Hawks and Minutewomen traded baskets in the early going as Massachusetts lead 17-16 following a three-pointer by SJU's Natasha Cloud at 8:38.
From there though, Saint Joseph's offense went cold as the Minutewomen used an 9-0 run to open a 26-16 advantage. The Hawks finished the half just 1-of-14 from the floor as Massachusetts built a 30-20 lead.
Trailing 43-30 in the second half, Saint Joseph's went on an 8-2 run to close within seven on a jumper by Ciara Andrews at 9:57.
Following a defensive stop, the Hawks failed to convert on the offensive end, and led to a 6-0 run by Massachusetts that pushed its lead back to 13, 52-39.
Saint Joseph's (5-10, 1-2 Atlantic 10) would get no closer than 10 points from there as the Minutewomen went 11-of-12 from the foul line to help seal the win.
As a team, the Hawks shot a season-low 24.6 percent (16-of-65) and hit just 4-of-21 from three-point range (19 percent). Saint Joseph's finished 11-of-16 from the foul line (68.8 percent) and had 33 rebounds, including 17 at the offensive end.
Individually, Cloud, a Naismith Trophy candidate, posted a game-high 20 points, seven assists and four steals. Rookie Chelsea Woods had a game-high 14 rebounds to go with seven points before fouling out.
At the other end, the Minutewomen (7-8, 1-2 A-10) shot 47.9 percent from the floor (23-of-48), 36.4 percent from behind the arc (4-of-11) and 78.9 percent from the foul line (15-of-19). Cierra Dillard led three Massachusetts players in double figured with 18 points.
The Hawks return to action this Thursday at Fordham. Game time is set for 7 p.m. with the game televised on CBS Sports Network.
Game Notes: The Hawks are now 46-10 all-time versus Massachusetts...Cloud has posted back-to-back games with 20 points...Andrews, freshman Adashia Franklyn and sophomore Kathleen Fitzpatrick all finished with six points apiece...Franklyn also had a game-high two blocked shots...Redshirt sophomore Jordan Strode added two points, five rebound, a blocked shot and a steal...Sophomore <Mackenzie Rule finished with a steal...Rookie Candace Belvedere played five minutes.
