Women's Basketball Drops 86-65 Decision to Nazareth at Music City Classic

NASHVILLE, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's basketball team dropped an 86-65 decision to Nazareth College on Monday afternoon at the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Bears fall to 2-9 with their fifth straight setback, while the Golden Flyers improve to 7-3.

Senior forward Rachel Benedict (Brockport, N.Y.) tallied a game-high 25 points, 15 rebounds (four offensive) and six assists to lead the way for Nazareth. Sophomore forward Jadyn Abrams (Bath, Mass.) added 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots, while senior guard Lizzie Straub (Brewerton, N.Y.) checked in with 12 points and five boards.

Freshman guard Kylee Piché (Bridgewater, Mass.) paced the Bears with 17 points and four assists. Senior guard Nicole Bostick (East Taunton, Mass.) notched 11 points and five rebounds, and freshman guard Ainsley Jolin (Rehoboth, Mass. contributed nine points and four assists.

The Eagles trailed 17-9 with 1:15 remaining in the first quarter, but outscored the Bears 19-6 over the next six minutes to turn the eight-point deficit into a 28-23 lead. The Eagles connected for four three-pointers during the run including a pair from Straub and one apiece from Abrams and Benedict. A layup by sophomore guard Miyah Sizer (Rochester, N.Y.) with 3:16 left in the second quarter extended the Nazareth lead to 34-27. The Bears reeled off seven straight points including back-to-back three-pointers by freshman guard Sydney Bradbury (East Bridgewater, Mass.) to knot the score. A Sizer jumper with just three seconds left until halftime gave the Eagles a 36-34 lead at the break.

The Eagles outscored the Bears 15-7 over the first 7 ½ minutes of the third quarter, highlighted by eight points from Benedict, to open up a ten-point advantage (51-41). Nazareth would take a 56-48 lead into the final period and used a 17-4 run over the first six minutes of the session to put the game well out of reach. The Eagles got up by as many as 25 points (86-61) the rest of the way before settling for the 86-65 victory.

Nazareth shot 49% (33-67) for the game including 11-for-27 (41%) from three-point range. The Golden Flyers also connected on 9 of 11 free throw attempts (82%).

Bridgewater State shot 35% (26-74) and went just 4-for-21 (19%) from behind the arc. The Bears also finished 9-for-13 (69%) at the charity stripe.

In upcoming action, the Bears travel to Clark University on Saturday afternoon for a one o'clock game with the Cougars.