Fitzgerald Sets BSU Single-Game Scoring Mark in 111-108 Loss to Westfield

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Westfield State University women's basketball team withstood an outstanding performance by junior center Destiny Fitzgerald (Medford, Mass.) as the visiting Owls outlasted the Bears of Bridgewater State University, 111-108, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup on Saturday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.

The Owls improve to 6-10 on the season and 3-1 in the MASCAC, while the host Bears fall to 6-10 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Fitzgerald set the Bears' single-game scoring record as she poured in 43 points on 20 of 30 shooting. She also added a career-high 17 rebounds (ten offensive) to record her fourth double-double of the season. Fitzgerald eclipsed the previous program mark of 38 points set by Jennie Lindland against the same Owls during the 2017 MASCAC Tournament.

Junior forward Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) paced Westfield with 29 points on 10 of 15 shooting, while sophomore guard Isabella Aitken (Pittsfield, Mass.) added 20 points and a game-high five steals. Senior guard Chelsea Moussette (Southampton, Mass.) checked in with 18 points and a game-best 11 assists. Fourteen of Moussette's 18 points came in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter with the game hanging in the balance.

Senior guard Nicole Bostick (East Taunton, Mass.) added a season-high 21 points for the Bears as she went 5-for-9 from behind the arc. Freshman guard Kylee Piché (Bridgewater, Mass.) filled the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds, a career-high nine assists, a steal and a blocked shot, while fellow freshman guards Sydney Bradbury (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and Ainsley Jolin (Rehoboth, Mass.) came off the bench to notch 13 and ten points, respectively.

Westfield came out firing on all cylinders as the Owls connected on 12 of 18 (67%) field goals attempts in the first quarter, including 5-for-7 (71%) from behind the arc. The visitors were also a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line as they led 35-23 after one.

The Owls extended their lead to 16 (42-26) following a three-pointer by freshman forward Lauren Legere (Bedford, Mass.) with 7:21 remaining in the second quarter. The Bears began to chip away at the deficit outscoring the Owls 22-13 over the next six minutes to make it a seven-point game (55-48) with 1:32 showing on the scoreboard. Fitzgerald scored 12 points during that span. Westfield scored the final four points of the period including a buzzer beater three-pointer by senior guard Cayla Durkee (Georgetown, Mass.) to take a 59-48 lead into the break.

Fitzgerald led all player with 20 points in the first half as she went 10-for-18 from the floor and made each of her last six shots. Gray and Aitken paced the Owls with 14 and 13 points, respectively, over the first 20 minutes.

Westfield shot 57% (21-37) from the floor in the first half, 60% (9-15) from three-point range and 80% (8-10) at the stripe. Bridgewater connected on 47% (21-45) of its field goals attempts and went 4-for-12 (33%) from behind the arc and just 2-for-5 (40%) at the free throw line.

The Bears came roaring back in the third quarter and used an 18-5 run over a 3 ½ minute stretch capped off by a Fitzgerald layup to take a 69-67 lead with 5:11 remaining in the period. Fitzgerald and Bostick  tallied seven points apiece during the spurt. The final 5 ½ minutes of the third featured four ties and four lead changes with Westfield holding an 82-80n advantage heading into the final period.

The Owls led throughout the entire fourth quarter and got up by as many as eight points, 110-102, following a Moussette three-pointer with 1:20 left to play. Moussette tallied 14 of Westfield's final 21 points to help secure the victory.

The Owls shot 51% (37-73) for the game including 14-for-33 (42%) from three-point range. The visitors also went 23-for-31 (74%) at the charity stripe as they attempted 14 more free throws than the Bears.

Bridgewater connected on 49% (44-90) of its field goal attempts and finished 9-for-31 (29%) from behind the arc and 11-for-17 (65%) at the line. The Bears dominated the inside game outscoring the Owls in the paint by a margin of 68-38. Bridgewater also posted a 55-37 rebounding advantage with a 24-11 edge on the offensive glass.

Both teams are back in action on Wednesday evening. The Bears travel to Fitchburg State University for a 5:30 MASCAC game with the Falcons, while the Owls entertain the Camels of Connecticut College at seven.

Notes: The Bears eclipsed team records for both points scored in a game and points allowed. The Bears scored 105 points against Thomas College in 2011 (Nov. 18) and gave up 106 points against Salem State in 1996 (Feb. 15)....Bridgewater also set an NCAA Division III record for most points scored by a losing team in regulation eclipsing the previous mark of 102 points set by Salisbury University in a 109-102 setback to Marymount University in 1997 (Jan. 22).