On November 3, 2025, at 6:32 pm, the first round of the MAC-SBC challenge tipped off at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The Lady Monarchs hosted the Minutewomen for the first meeting between the two programs. UMass wins the first round of the MAC-SBC Challenge, beating ODU 58-52. It was challenging for the Monarchs to get the ball in the basket as they missed 14 of 17 shots in the first quarter. The Lady Monarchs shot 17.6 percent from the field in the first quarter, while the Minutewomen shot 46.7 percent from the field in the first quarter.

The ODU Monarchs are led by head coach DeLisha Milton-Jones, and the Minutewomen are led by head coach Mike Leflar. In the first quarter, UMass came out ready to go. UMass scored 19 points in the first quarter while ODU tallied just nine points in the first quarter.

The Monarchs were also beaten on the boards early in the game. UMass grabbed 15 rebounds. The Lady Monarchs only grabbed 7 rebounds. Five of those rebounds were defensive rebounds, giving the Monarchs a chance to capitalize on UMass misses, but ODU missed plenty of open layups and shots. UMass led in defensive rebounds in the first quarter.

Later in the game wasn't as lopsided as the first quarter. The Monarchs began to pick up their pace and slowed down UMass point guard Yhamani McKayle. Dalanna Carter, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, came into the game for the Monarchs and played tight defense on Yhamani.

She also made a corner three-pointer that the sideline had to pressure her into shooting. In the post-game conference, DeLisha Milton-Jones said, "It seemed like our shooters were a little hesitant for some reason, and you're not going to make a lot of shots when you're second-guessing yourself, but if you can go with boldness, then success will find you."

ODU began to close the gap later in the game, but could not finish with the win. Laila Walker, coming off the bench, finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. En'Dya Buford finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and five steals. UMass's leading scorer was Yahmani McKayle, finishing the game with 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists. The Monarchs will host Elizabeth City State at Chartway Arena on Friday, Nov. 9, at 6:30 pm.