By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University basketball teams have earned byes in this week's Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference tournaments.

After being idle when the tourneys begin on Tuesday, the BSU teams will host semifinal-round games on Thursday night at the Tinsley Center.

The women's team is the No. 1 seed and will host the winner of the Salem State-Fitchburg State game at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The men's team is the No. 2 seed and will play either Worcester State or Framingham State at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The MASCAC championship games are Saturday afternoon with the winner advancing to the NCAA tourney.

BSU Women

• The Bears finished in a three-way tie for first place with Westfield State and Framingham State at 8-4, but BSU is the top seed after winning the tiebreaker.
• The Bears (14-11) have won the last three MASCAC tournament titles, defeating Westfield State in last year's championship game.
• Jenna Williamson, the program's all-time leader in points, is averaging 13.8 points.
• BSU overcame the loss of top scorer Megan Boutilette on Dec. 12 to a season-ending knee injury to finish in a first-place tie.
• The Bears lost twice to Salem State this season, including the final game when they could have clinched the MASCAC crown outright.
• Against the other potential semifinal-round opponent, Fitchburg State, BSU split a pair of games.

 BSU Men

• The Bears finished in a three-way tie for second place at 8-4 with Worcester State and Westfield State, one game behind Salem State.
• The tiebreaker worked in BSU's favor, getting the Bears the bye.
• BSU (14-11) is led by junior Michael Lofton, who is averaging 16.8 points and 9.2 rebounds (both third in the conference).
• Senior Brendan Monteiro is scoring 15.2 points while Kyle Gibson averages 13.1 points.
• BSU went 2-0 against both Framingham State and Worcester State.
• The Bears are bidding for their first conference tourney title since 2011.