Women's Basketball Holds Off Brandeis in Season Opener, 70-69

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's basketball held off a furious fourth quarter rally as the Bears edged visiting Brandeis University, 70-69, on Tuesday night in the season opener for both teams at the Tinsley Center.

BSU sophomore forward Jordan Peebles (Middleboro, Mass.) knocked down a free throw with 3.1 seconds remaining to break a 69-69 tie and lift the Bears to the dramatic win.

The Bears and the Judges were meeting for just the second time in the long history of the two programs. Last season, Bridgewater posted a 74-73 victory at Red Auerbach Arena in Waltham.

Sophomore forward Kylie Grassi (Plymouth, Mass.) poured in a game-high 25 points to lead Bridgewater State to the win. Grassi connected on 8 of 11 field goal attempts and went 8-for-10 at the free throw line. She also added a game-best eight rebounds as well as five assists, a steal and two blocked shots.

Senior guard Kylee Piche (Bridgewater, Mass.) checked in with 17 points, four rebounds and two steals for the Bears, while sophomore forward Arielle Cleveland (Groveland, Mass.) tallied ten points and six boards, and junior guard Caroline Tripp (Plymouth, Mass.) notched ten points, three rebounds, a game-high six assists and two steals in 26 minutes off the bench.

Bridgewater held the edge in play over the first three quarters as the hosts led 42-22 at the half and 60-40 heading into the final period. The Bears got up by as many as 27 points in the third quarter.

After the two teams exchanged field goals to open the fourth quarter, including a jumper by Grassi, the Judges held the Bears to just five free throws over the next 8 ½ minutes. Brandeis used a 25-5 run to battle back and tie the game. Sophomore forward Caitlin Gresko (Howell, N.J.) jumpstarted the run with a three-pointer and layup, and the Judges went 9-for-16 at the line during the stretch. A free throw by freshman forward Katherine Vaughan (Bedford, Mass.) with 1:17 left to play knotted the score at 67-67.

Bridgewater reclaimed the lead on a driving layup by Cleveland, but Brandeis answered with a pair of free throws from senior guard Emma Reavis (Miami, Okla..) to tie it at 69-69 with 42 seconds showing on the scoreboard. Grassi and Peebles then came up with back-to-back clutch offensive rebounds off a pair of missed three pointers with Peebles getting fouled with 3.1 seconds remaining. Peebles missed her first free throw attempt, but calmy sank the second to give the hosts the 70-69 advantage. Brandeis had a good look out of a timeout, but Vaughan's last second runner was off the mark as the Bears held on for the win.

Reavis led the way for the visitors with 16 points as she went 10-for-12 at the charity stripe. The Judges also received 11 points and a team-best seven rebounds (five offensive) in 16 minutes off the bench from Vaughan.

Bridgewater shot 43% (28-65) from the floor, but just 3-for-20 (15%) from behind the arc. The Bears also finished 11-for-20 (55%) at the free throw line.

The Judges connected on 34.5% (19-55) of their field goal attempts, including 6-for-25 (24%) from three-point range. Brandeis also went 25-for-35 (71%) at the stripe.

The two teams combined for 40 turnovers with the Judges committing 22 miscues. The Bears were whistled for 32 fouls and four players fouled out.

Bridgewater finished with a 36-24 advantage in points in the paint, while Brandeis had the edge in points off turnovers (19-12) and second chance points (13-8).

The Bears travel to Suffolk University on Thursday night for a seven o'clock game with the Rams. The Judges host the Brandeis Invitational on Friday and Saturday.