Women's Basketball Downs Worcester State, 83-62, for Fifth Straight Win

WORCESTER, Mass. – Five players scored in double digits as the visiting Bridgewater State University women's basketball team cruised to an 83-62 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over Worcester State University on Wednesday night at Brissette Court.

The Bears improve to 12-4 on the season and 3-0 in the MASCAC with their fifth straight win, while the Lancers fall to 4-11 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Sophomore forward Arielle Cleveland (Groveland, Mass.) scored a career-high 17 points to go along with three rebounds, while sophomore forward Kylie Grassi (Plymouth, Mass.) recorded her first collegiate double-double with 13 points and a career-best 11 rebounds (four offensive) to lead the way for Bridgewater State.

Senior guard Kylee Piche (Bridgewater, Mass.) checked in with 12 points, four rebounds and a career-high six steals for the Bears who also received 12 points, three rebounds and three assists from senior guard Sydney Bradbury (East Bridgewater, Mass.) as well as 11 points, four rebounds and a game-best seven assists in 28 minutes off the bench from junior guard Caroline Tripp (Plymouth, Mass.).

Junior guard Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, Mass.) paced Worcester State with 14 points, seven rebounds (three offensive) and five assists. Sophomore forward Julia Hamel (Hubbardston, Mass.) added 12 points and six rebounds (three offensive) for the Lancers, while senior guard Erin Gallella (Tewksbury, Mass.) tallied 12 points, four assists and a pair of steals.

The Bears trailed 9-6 early in the contest but outscored the Lancers 19-4 over the final 6 ½ minutes of the first quarter to take a 25-13 lead. Bridgewater got up by as many as 20 points in the second period and carried a 45-25 advantage into the break.

Grassi scored 12 of her 13 points in the first half to lead all players.

Worcester would get no closer than 17 points the rest of the way. The Bears got up by as many as 28 points in the second half and coasted to the 83-62 victory.

Bridgewater shot 39.5% (30-76) for the game, including 7-for-20 (35%) from behind the arc. The Bears also went 16-for-23 (69.6%) at the free throw line. The BSU defense forced 25 turnovers and held the Lancers to 35.2% (25-71) shooting. Worcester connected on just 3 of 14 (21.4%) three-points attempts and 9 of 23 (39.1%) free throws.

The Bears held the edge in points off turnover (25-13), points in the paint (42-30) and bench points (25-15).

The Bears are off until next Wednesday night when they entertain MASCAC rival Westfield State University at 7:30. The Lancers also host Westfield State on Saturday afternoon at two o'clock.