BOSTON, Mass. - The visiting Western Connecticut State University Wolves dropped a 66-44 decision against the University of Massachusetts-Boston Beacons in Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball action this afternoon at Clark Athletic Center.  WestConn drops to 4-8 overall and 0-4 in the LEC, while the Beacons are now 8-4 overall and 2-2 in the league.  WestConn hosts conference rival Rhode Island College next on Thursday at 5 p.m. Wolves senior Leana Heitmann (East Syracuse, N.Y.) scored a team-high eight points.

WestConn started strong and led, 11-6, midway through the first quarter after a layup by senior Sara Macary (Naugatuck, Conn.).  UMass Boston closed the first frame with a 5-0 run to tie the score at 11-all and scored the first five points of the second.  WestConn freshman Niyama Adadevoh (Amherst, Mass.) made a traditional three-point play followed by a Heitman bucket inside to tie ths game at 18-18 with 5:37 left in the second quarter.  Sibayla Jensen closed the first half with a basket in the final 10 seconds to give the Beacons a 29-24 lead at halftime. 

UMass Boston outscored WestConn, 19-7, in the third quarter to pull ahead, 48-31, at the last break.  WestConn sophomore Gianna Castellano (East Haven, Conn.) and freshman Julyssa Patterson (Waterbury, Conn.) each scored four points down the stretch, as the Wolves scored 12 of the game's final 19 points. WestConn shot 25.4 percent from the floor, made one of 16 three-point attempts, and missed 10 of 23 free throws.   The Wolves outrebounded the Beacons, 44-32, but committed 31 turnovers.  Heitmann had six boards and three blocks and Macary pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.  Castellano and sophomore Fatmata Barrie (Staten Island, N.Y.) each scored seven points.  Madison Haggett oaced UMass Boston with 15 points and three steals.