Bridgewater State to Face the University of New England in NCAA Women’s Basketball Tourney

By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women’s basketball team is making a habit of reaching the NCAA Div. 3 tournament.

The Bears have earned a spot in the national tourney for a third consecutive year – the second-longest streak in program history – and the fourth time in six seasons.

BSU will open the tournament on Friday at 5 p.m. in Amherst against the University of New England, the champion of the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The winner plays on Saturday at 6 p.m. against host Amherst College or Farmingdale State.

“It’s special,’’ said Bears coach Bridgett Casey of a third consecutive trip to the NCAAs. “I don’t think I can fully grasp it, put my hands around it. But it’s been nice.

“Three in a row is very, very special. Maybe it won’t happen again, I’m not sure. We’re just going to enjoy it.’’

The BSU players and coaches gathered at the Tinsley Center on Monday afternoon to watch the NCAA selection show and learned that the opening-round opponent would be New England, a team the Bears have never faced.

The game will pit a pair of teams on a roll since the Nor’easters are 24-4 with 19 consecutive victories while the Bears are 23-3 with 11 consecutive wins and a 17-1 record since Jan. 1.

BSU rallied to defeat Westfield State for the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference title on Saturday while New England defeated Salve Regina University in the CCC championship game.

The Bears have compiled the second-highest win total in program history, trailing only the 1984-85 team that was 26-2.

BSU had to replace senior starters Shelly DePina (the top scorer and second-best rebounder) and Monica-Sabina Bharoocha, but an experienced cast led the way to another NCAA berth.

“It all stems back to their work in the offseason,’’ said Casey. “They came in really in phenomenal shape. (Assistant coach) Kendra (Lund of Taunton) has done a phenomenal job with the conditioning program and the experience we have in players who have been here three and four years really helped.’’

The Bears returned Michaela Cosby, Jenna Williamson and Megan Boutliette from last year’s team and Elisha Homich came back after playing just two games last season.

“We lost some really good seniors,’’ said Cosby, the Bears’ top scorer. “I was a little unsure of it, but we played in the summer, and after that, I realized we were going to be OK.’’

BSU has advanced past the first round in the NCAA tourney just once, downing Rhode Island College, 80-59, in 1985. The Bears lost to Randolph-Macon in 2011 in Pennsylvania and to Babson College in Amherst a year ago.

“It’d be really exciting to win,’’ said Williamson. “I’d like for coach to be able to have her first NCAA win.’’

Casey, who is 243-170 in 16 seasons, hopes the third time will be the charm as she brings a team that has key players with NCAA tourney experience leading the way.

“I’m excited,’’ said Casey. “I’m hoping it really kicks in this year. It’s our third time in a row being in this position. The last two times, we were just missing something. I don’t think we’re missing that this year.

“We’re going back to Amherst. We’re familiar with the surroundings and the setup and the layout of the gym. That feature won’t be new to us, which is nice. We know what we’ve done all year long. I think it’s going to be a great battle.’’