Women's Basketball Pulls Away for 93-58 Win Over Emerson at The Cave Classic

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's basketball dominated play in the second half as the Bears coasted to a 93-58 victory over visiting Emerson College during the third and final day of The Cave Classic on Sunday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.

The Bears (5-0) went 2-0 at the classic as they remain unbeaten on the season. The five straight wins to open the season marks the program's best start since the 2010-2011 Bears won their first nine game.. The Lions fall to 1-6 with their sixth straight setback.

Senior guard Sydney Bradbury (East Bridgewater, Mass.) scored a season-high 20 points on 8 of 15 shooting to lead the way for Bridgewater State. Bradbury also pulled down four rebounds, dished out a game-best five assists and recorded a career-high six steals.

Senior guard Sophia Gaucher (Lakeville, Mass.) added a season-high 15 points and nine rebounds for the Bears to go along with three assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Junior guard Caroline Tripp (Plymouth, Mass.) checked in with a season-best 15 points as well as three rebounds, two assists and a career-high six steals in 21 minutes off the bench, while senior guard Kylee Piche (Bridgewater, Mass.) added 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Bridgewater State led 40-31 in a first half which featured 28 turnovers including 18 miscues for the visitors. The Bears shot 41.7% (15-36) over the first 20 minutes and converted on 9 of 15 (60%) free throw attempts. The Lions connected on 47.8% (11-23) of their field goals attempts and went 3-for-7 (42.9%) from behind the arc and 6-for-9 (66.7%) at the charity stripe.

Bradbury led all players with ten points over the first two quarters, while junior guard Ella Bushee (Walpole, N.H.) paced Emerson with eight.

The second half belonged to Bridgewater State as the Bears outscored the Lions 53-27 over the final 20 minutes. Bridgewater used a 17-4 run, highlighted by six points from Tripp, over the final four minutes of the third quarter to open up a 65-44 lead. Emerson would get no closer than 19 points the rest of the way as the Bears pulled away for the 93-58 victory.

Bridgewater finished with a 43-36 rebounding advantage including a 15-7 edge on the offensive glass. The Bears also forced 34 turnovers and recorded a season-high 20 steals.

The Bears held a decided advantage in points off turnovers (40-17), points in the paint (58-20) and bench scoring (35-15).

Junior guard Olivia Deslauriers (West Hartford, Conn.) and senior guard Chelsea Gibbons (Foxboro, Mass.) tallied 13 points apiece to lead the way for Emerson. Gibson also corralled six rebounds, while Deslauriers added two rebounds and three assists. The Lions also received ten points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals from Bushee, and eight points and nine boards in 23 minutes off the bench from sophomore forward Mackenzie Bruno (Howell, N.J.).

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday evening. The Bears host Rhode Island College at seven o'clock, while Emerson travels to Endicott College to take on the Gulls at five.