One of UMass Boston's original varsity teams, the women's basketball program competes at the highest level of Division III round ball. As a member of the Little East Conference, UMass Boston annually faces top competition at both the regional and national level. The reward for the conference tournament champion is an automatic appearance to the NCAA tournament.

In the program's first four years of existence, the Beacons stormed to a combined 53-26 record and an appearance in the MAIAW state tournament. In 1995, the Beacons not only qualified for that tournament once again, but captured the state championship.

Among the more prominent names to play for the Beacons are Eileen Fenton, who is the only UMB player to have been named Little East Player of the Year, and Linda Caruso, who holds the University's career scoring record.