HENRICO, Va. -- The 13th-seeded Massachusetts Minutewomen avenged two regular-season setbacks by besting the 12th-seeded La Salle Explorers, 54-49, Wednesday afternoon at the Henrico Sports & Event Center, advancing into Atlantic 10 Championship Second Round play in the process.

Stefanie Kulesza recorded her fourth double-double of the season consisting of 10 points and 13 rebounds, the latter being one off from her career high. Tori Hyduke paced UMass with her 14 points, her highest point total with the program, Chinenye Odenigbo netted 13 points and Alexsia Rose amassed 10 points.

UMass won the rebounding battle by a 40-35 count.

“Really proud of our team and our effort,” UMass coach Mike Leflar said. “I’m really excited and I think we deserve to be here for day two and really feel the atmosphere of the A-10 tournament. I challenged them to bring their own energy and the team brought their own energy together and stuck together the most was the team that was going to win. I was proud of us to be that and do that today. There were moments where we could have just shut down and we chose the other path, and we were resilient today.”

La Salle saw Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team selection Nicole Melious lead all scorers with her 17 points. Molly Masciantonio earned 10 points for the Explorers.

"Obviously not the result you're hoping for today, disappointing way to close it out," La Salle coach Mountain MacGillivray stated. "We got them twice in the regular season and we came from behind both times. When we trailed today, I think the team believed they were going to come from behind today. Credit to UMass they made plays and did some really good things. Would love to have a few plays back. It's tough to see it end for Makayla (Miller) and Molly (Masciantonio). We knew this year was about growth and maturity."

The Minutewomen got off to an encouraging start as Kulesza was given three opportunities to score, established position and converted an and-one opportunity.

This score allowed for UMass to score the contest’s opening five points. 

Following the first media stoppage, the Minutewomen brought Bre Bellamy into the game, allowing her to see court action for the first time since Feb. 14. 

“I think having Bre on the court is a great advantage,” responded Kulesza. “She is probably the loudest one on our team, so we really need her to be on the court. She brings us together and has a positive attitude on the court. In tough situations like this game, she’s able to be the glue and keep us together.”

Though La Salle struck back, the Minutewomen used a 9-2 run to overcome seven first-quarter turnovers, doubling up the Explorers 14-7 after the opening period.

After an even start to the second period, UMass used its defense to hold La Salle scoreless for 5:17 of game action, extending the lead to nine points after Rose converted a turnover into points.

Following the media stoppage, La Salle began finding its shot, going on a 9-0 run, all from 3-point range. When Melious sank the triple it tied the contest.

In the closing seconds of the first half, an opportunistic Bellamy sank a floater from close range allowing the Minutewomen to lead 22-20 at halftime.

Melious began to catch fire at the start of the third quarter, once again converting from 3-point range. Though Rose would have an immediate answer which led to a lead change, La Salle was undeterred as Masciantonio’s triple was rebounded by Jolene Armendariz, who found Melious for a triple which activated UMass’s first timeout of the afternoon.

Armendariz brought La Salle’s advantage to four points, but the Minutewomen closed the third stanza on an 8-1 run, holding the Explorers without a field goal for the final 5:55.

Kristin Williams converted a pull-up jumper in the quarter’s closing seconds allowing UMass to lead 35-32 heading into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, UMass converted two quick baskets, stretching the lead to seven points and the run to 12-1.

La Salle remained in the fight with Melious’s movement without the basketball, but that was matched by Hyduke’s shotmaking ability and a timely three-point basket from Bellamy.

The Explorers used a 6-0 run to bring the game to within a possession with the possession arrow on their side and the Minutewomen having four team fouls, but were unable to create more damage on the scoreboard.

This was when the Minutewomen were challenged at the free throw line where Hyduke calmly sank a pair.

UMass advances to the second round where it will play No. 5 Duquesne. The Dukes bested the Minutewomen 79-62 in regular season play.