Melton Leads Women's Basketball to 70-48 MASCAC Win Over Worcester

BRIDGEWATER,  Mass. – Sophomore forward Chanelle Melton (Brockton, Mass.) matcher her career-high with 20 points to lead the Bridgewater State University women's basketball team to a convincing 70-48 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over visiting Worcester State University on Saturday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.

The Bears improve to 9-7 on the season and 3-1 in the MASCAC, while the Lancers slip to 11-5 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Melton finished 9-for-14 from the floor while also pulling down seven rebounds including three off the offensive glass.  She also added two assists and four steals.

Senior guard Rachel Kusz (Worcester, Mass.) chipped in 13 points with ten of those coming in the first half. Kusz connected on 4 of 8 three-point attempts.  Junior guard Vanesa Coneicao (New Bedford, Mass.) filled the stat sheet with nine points, four rebounds, seven assists and five steals, while senior forward Megan Boutilette (Charlton, Mass.) notched eight points, nine boards, two assists, a block and three steals.

The BSU defensive pressure was the story of the game as the Bears forced 25 turnovers thanks in part to 14 steals and limited the Lancer to just 46 field goal attempts.  Bridgewater held a decided 34-9 edge in points off turnovers.

Senior forward Julie Frankian (Millbury, Mass.) paced the visitors with 16 points, six rebounds and a pair of assists, while senior guard Kiesha Jones (Worcester, Mass.) came off the bench to score ten points to go along with six boards.

Trailing 13-10 midway through the first half, the Bears went on a 18-3 run during a span of 8 ½ minutes to open up a double-digit margin (28-16).  Melton and Kusz combined for 14 points in the surge.  Bridgewater would ultimately take a 33-22 lead into the break.

The Bears carried the momentum into the second half outscoring the Lancer 20-2 over the first 8:15 of play to take a commanding 53-24 advantage.  Worcester never seriously threatened the rest of the way as BSU cruised to the 70-48 victory.

Bridgewater State shot 45% (27-60) for the game and nailed half their bids (5-10) from behind the arc.

Worcester State was limited to 35% (16-46) shooting but did manage to convert 13 of their 14 (93%) free throw attempts.

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday evening.   The Bears travel to Fitchburg State University to take on the Falcons at 5:30, while the Lancers entertain the Owls of Westfield State University at 6:00.

Notes: Boutilette, who was playing in her 100th career game, became the first player in BSU women's basketball history to reach the 800-rebound milestone....Boutilette also moved into second place on the Bears' career steals list as she now has 289.