Yale Athletics

The Yale women’s basketball team (2–7, 0–0 Ivy) faced the University of Massachusetts (1–8, 0–0 A10) at home in the John J. Lee Amphitheater inside Payne Whitney Gymnasium on Friday, Dec. 1. 

The Bulldogs, coming off their first win of the season at home against the Marist Red Foxes (2–5, 0–0 MAAC), looked to extend their win streak to two against the UMass Minutewomen, who have lost eight straight games.

In the first period, Yale stole the jump ball and maintained possession for over a minute. Every Bulldog touched the ball before it was shot. Shortly after, the first bucket came on a Grace Thybulle ’25 free throw. Though the Bulldogs faced some errant passes over miscommunications, they were able to lead Massachusetts almost the entire quarter, ending the first ahead 12–11. 

The second period was all Blue and White, who found their footing quickly after the first quarter break ended. They put up 22 more points, sinking 12 buckets to UMass’s seven, including two three-pointers. Fouls against the Minutewomen sent the Bulldogs to the line three separate times, which produced four points for Yale. The Bulldogs ran off the court at halftime leading the Minutewomen 34–23.

After halftime, the game did not begin to pick up until late in the third quarter when the Minutewomen began to inch back. Though three was the name of the game for Kiley Capstraw ’26, who had three three-pointers in just the third period, the Minutewomen closed the gap in the beginning of the fourth, 48–48. This did not last long, though, as Yale quickly barked back, maintaining their lead for the rest of the period. The Minutewomen desperately fouled the Bulldogs for extra time, but it was to no avail. The game ended 70–62 in a Bulldog victory.

Yale, who normally struggles limiting fouls, committed just 10, a season-low for the team. This was key in maintaining an advantage over Massachusetts. 

Capstraw racked up 21 points during the game, a season high. She was one of four Bulldogs who tallied over 10 points that game, a list including Jenna Clark ’24, Thybulle and Nyla McGill ’25. Thybulle notably achieved her first double-double of the season, marked by 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Shortly after this win, the team traveled to North Andover, Massachusetts, to face Merrimack (3–6, 0–0 NEC) on Sunday at the Warriors’ Hammel Court.

The first period saw a slow start from the Bulldogs, who trailed Merrimack almost the entire time. Though Thybulle and Capstraw continued to provide some power on the scoreboard, missed shots and turnovers haunted Yale’s gameplay.

During the second quarter, the Bulldogs came back to lead the game at 35–33 with a jump shot by Clark. From there the Warriors came back and led from 2:29 until the half. Three continued as a magic number for the Bulldogs, this time for sophomore Lola Lesmond ’26, who also had three three-pointers in just the second period.

After the half, the score began at 35–44 with Merrimack leading. The Bulldogs fought to close the gap to within two points, aided by layups from McGill and Mackenzie Egger ’25. However, the Warriors were relentless, driving up their point total to leave Yale in the dust. Amaya Staton for Merrimack had 26 points on the game with nine rebounds, a key player in their success. The game ended 73–84.

Once again, Capstraw led the team in points scored with 17, followed shortly by Clark at 16 and McGill at 10. McGill and Thybulle tied for the team-leading most rebounds at seven, but the aggressive plays of Bulldogs and the fight they consistently showed throughout did not prove to be enough.

The Bulldogs take on Stony Brook (6–1, 0–0 CAA) next at Island Federal Arena in Stony Brook, New York on Wednesday at 1 p.m.