The journey of the No. 3 seeded UMass Minutewomen in the 2026 MAC Tournament came to an unexpected halt this week after a 67-56 defeat at the hands of the No. 6 Toledo Rockets during the quarterfinals held on Wednesday. This result marked a significant upset, altering the tournament’s anticipated trajectory.
Toledo’s Semifinal Advancement Fueled by Stellar Backcourt Performance
Advancing to the semifinals scheduled for Friday, the Rockets are set to face off against the No. 2 Ball State. This progression underscores Toledo’s consistent excellence, as the team secures its place in the tournament semifinals for the fifth consecutive year, reinforcing their status as a formidable contender within the MAC.
The pivotal factor in Toledo’s victory was the commanding output from their backcourt trio. Leading the scoring charts was Patricia Anumgba, who amassed a team-high 19 points, notably contributing 15 points in the second half, a period decisive in securing the Rockets’ triumph. Complementing Anumgba’s offensive surge were Ella Weaver and Kendall Carruthers, each registering 16 points, thereby collectively dominating the quarterfinal encounter and stifling UMass’s efforts.