Owls Pull Away From Lancers in Play4Kay Game

WORCESTER, Mass. – Westfield State outscored Worcester State 27-16 in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Lancers for a 76-62 victory in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at Brissette '88 Competition Court.

The game was part of a night recognizing both National Girls and Women in Sports Day and Play4Kay, with money being raised for the Kay Yow Fund and the fight against breast cancer. Prior to the game, Worcester State women's basketball players walked out with women who have influenced them and supported them in their athletic endeavors.

Elizabeth Gallella (Tewksbury, Mass.) led the Lancers with 18 points, while Gigi LeMay (Grafton, Mass.) had 13 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block.

The Owls (13-10, 7-3 MASCAC) were led by 19 points from Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) and 17 points from Olivia Hadla (Westfield, Mass.), who also dished out six assists and collected five steals. Gray had a double-double with a team-high 10 rebounds.

Worcester State (9-11, 4-4 MASCAC) overcame a 10-point deficit after one quarter and trailed by just 4 at the break, eventually tying the game at 36 on a jump shot by Elizabeth Gallella and taking their first lead since 2-0 on a LeMay free throw with 2:27 left in the third quarter.

Leading 49-46, Westfield State opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run, sparked by a three-pointer by Hadla, who was 2-4 from long range. Worcester stayed within seven points with a jump shot by Calli Korbey (Hopkinton, Mass.) making it 59-52, but Jenn Rennich (Bedford, Mass.) hit from outside for the Owls to jump-start another 7-0 spurt.

The visitors extended their lead to as much as 16 on a pair of free throws by Lila Labrie (Southampton, Mass.) with 2:50 remaining.

Madison Gutierrez (Holyoke, Mass.) scored ten points off the Lancer bench while also grabbing three rebounds, and registering three assists and a steal in just 11 minutes. Erin Gallella (Tewksbury, Mass.) led all players with seven assists to go along with seven points.

Jess Gardner (Webster, Mass.) scored 11 and Paris Wilkey (Lynn, Mass.) added 10 points off the pine for the Owls. Gardner was a perfect 5-5 from the floor. Jordan Grant (Gray, Maine) had eight points, six rebounds and four assists.

The Lancers are back on the road for their next three games, beginning on Saturday when they travel to Fitchburg State for a 12:00 PM start.

Westfield State heads to Bridgewater to play the Bears at 1:00 PM on Saturday.