Women’s Basketball Uses Big Third Quarter to Earn 62-55 Win over Bridgewater State

WORCESTER, Mass. – Catherine Sweeney (Lowell, Mass.) scored 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting to lead the Worcester State University women's basketball team to a 62-55 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over the visiting Bears of Bridgewater State University Tuesday evening inside the Lancer Gymnasium.

THE BASICS

January 23, 2018

Lancer Gymnasium

Score: Worcester State 62, Bridgewater State 55

Records: Worcester State (9-8, 3-2 MASCAC) | Bridgewater State (4-13, 1-4 MASCAC)

1^ST QUARTER

Worcester State took the first lead of the game on back-to-back layups from Britt Herring (West Brookfield, Mass.) and Kaitlyn Berkel (Waterford, Conn.). The Bears knotted the score at 6-6 midway through the first quarter on a pair of free throws from Kayla Carter (Beverly, Mass.). Worcester State took the lead back and headed into the second frame ahead 12-10 succeeding a jumper from Bridgewater's Rhiana Page (Brookline, Mass.).

2^ND QUARTER

Following a tie at 12-12, Bridgewater State took its first lead of the game with 7:41 on the clock with a Sara DaSilva (Chelmsford, Mass.) triple. The teams then traded points and the Bears went into the locker room ahead with a slim 22-20 advantage.  

3^RD QUARTER

The first 28 minutes of the contest featured three ties and ten lead changes. Worcester State, however, scored the final nine points of the third quarter to take a 42-34 lead heading into the final period. Sweeney accounted for six of the Lancers' final nine points of the third.

4^TH QUARTER

A Sweeney layup to open the scoring in the fourth quarter completed the 11-0 run and extended the Lancers' advantage to ten (44-34) with 9:36 left to play. The Worcester State lead would fluctuate between eight and 12 points until the final two minutes. Bridgewater State pulled to within six, 59-53, following a Page layup with 1:46 remaining. After a stop, the Bears had a chance to close the gap but could not convert. Worcester went 3-for-4 from the free throw line over the final 30 seconds to hang on for the 62-55 victory.

DOWN FOR A COUNT

• In addition to the 15 points, Sweeney also recorded five assists, a blocked shot and pair of steals.
• Herring filled the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, three blocks and a steal. Kate Surprenant (Pelham, N.H.) contributed 12 points, four assists and two steals for Worcester.
• DaSilva paced Bridgewater State with 15 points and three steals, while Chanelle Melton (Brockton, Mass.) checked in with 13 points, a game-high nine rebounds, three assists and a steal.
• The Lancers shot 44% (25-57) for the game and went 10-for-15 (67%) at the charity stripe.
• The Bears connected on 42% (22-53) of their field goal attempts and finished 10-for-17 (59%) at the line.
• The two teams combined to shoot 3-for-16 from behind the arc.

UP NEXT

Worcester State's next date of competition is Thursday (Jan. 27) when they travel to Westfield State for a 5:30 p.m. tilt. Bridgewater State will entertain Fitchburg State on the same date.

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Portions of this Release Courtesy of Bridgewater State Sports Information