Corsairs show steady improvement by doubling
victory totals in Sheedy�s second season

(Dartmouth, MA) - The UMass Dartmouth women's basketball continued its steady improvement under second-year coach Lynn Sheedy by doubling its number of victories from last season. The Corsairs posted an 8-17 overall record and a 4-10 mark in the LEC, which included UMass Dartmouth�s longest winning streak in 7 years and a stunning upset victory over a national Division III final four team.

After going 4-19 overall and 2-12 in the LEC during Sheedy�s first season, the Corsairs doubled their victory totals in both areas one year later. The Corsairs success came from a combination of experienced veteran players and a couple of newcomers who made significant contributions to the program in their first season at UMass Dartmouth.

Junior forward and team captain Katie Douglas (Sharon, MA) was among the veterans who provided strong leadership throughout the season. Douglas was tied for second in team scoring with 8.52 points and led UMass Dartmouth in rebounding by pulling down 7.8 rebounds per game, fourth best in the LEC. Douglas also was the Corsairs� top three-point shooter, connecting on 16-54 (29.6%) and led the Corsairs in minutes (753), assists (66), blocked shots (14) and was second in steals (41). Douglas made 69 of 97 free throws for 71.1%, seventh best in the LEC.

Returning to basketball after a season away from the program, senior point guard Natarsha Silva (Brockton, MA) was another of Sheedy�s key veteran players. Silva averaged 8.8 points per game, second best on the team, plus 4.2 rebounds, 60 assists and a team-high 58 steals. Her 2.4 steals per game was placed her 6th in the LEC.

Sophomores Jess Cummings (Middleboro, MA) and Carla Ferreira (Marion, MA) moved into the Corsairs' starting lineup in 1999-2000 and established themselves as solid players for Sheedy. From her shooting guard spot, Cummings led the Corsairs in field goals (93) and averaged 8.44 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Cummings was the Corsairs� only player to be honored by the LEC as its Player of the Week. At her forward position, Ferreira contributed a solid 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game to go along with 11 blocked shots and 30 steals.

One of Sheedy's best additions to the program was transfer student Melissa Gears (Rochester, NY). A 6-1 junior forward/center, Gears moved right into the starting lineup and gave the Corsairs a big boost up front. She led the Corsairs in scoring with a 10.2 points per game average, finishing 11th among LEC scorers. Gears also pulled down 6.6 rebounds per game (6th in LEC) to give the Corsairs three players in the top 13 among rebounders in the conference. Gears was an LEC Player of the Week selection and also earned Honor Roll distinction twice during the season. Her 78.7% free throw percentage (96-122) was third best in the LEC for the season.

First-year guard Krysten Coutsoumbos (Brockton, MA) was another first-year player with the Corsairs, who had a positive impact on the Corsairs. Coutsoumbos showed a scoring touch, averaging 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds to go along with 33 assists and 21 steals.

Among the Corsairs' season highlights were a three-game winning streak in January, their longest dating back to the 1992-93 season. The Corsairs put together consecutive wins over Fitchburg State (57-44) and LEC rivals Western Connecticut (64-57) and UMass Boston (67-53).

The biggest victory of the season was the Corsairs' stunning 53-51 upset of the University of Southern Maine at UMass Dartmouth on Dec. 11, 1999. The Huskies went on to post a 26-6 overall record, capture the LEC title and finished as the national Division III runner up in the national championship game.

For one Saturday in December, however, the Corsairs put all the pieces together to spring the upset victory. Sparked by the LEC's Player of the Week, Jess Cummings' 19 points, including 3-3 from three-point range, UMass Dartmouth defeated the Huskies for the first time in 29 games.

UMass Dartmouth's women�s basketball team had some extra playing time together later in the spring when the Corsairs participated in the 10th annual Amadora International Basketball Tournament in Portugal. The Corsairs competed against several international teams in the Amadora Tournament and also played a pair of exhibition games against the Portuguese National Junior Team.