BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - The Bridgewater State college women's basketball team used a strong defensive effort to knock off Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Framingham State College, 66-38, this evening at the Tinsley Center in Bridgewater.
BSC improves to 13-7 overall and 6-2 in the MASCAC. The Bears have now won seven of their last eight games. With the loss, Framingham dips to 8-12 on the season and 2-6 in conference play.
Bridgewater limited the Rams to just 29% (14-for-49) shooting while also forcing 23 turnovers. The Bears also held a 46-31 rebounding advantage and blocked seven shots.
Sophomore guard Corey Cuddihy (Scituate, M A) led all scorers with 11 points as she connected on 3 of 6 three-point attempts. Freshman guard Stephanie Houtman (New Bedford, MA) came off the bench to score 10 points while also pulling down seven rebounds in 21 minutes, while sophomore forward Carolyn Swanson (Stoughton, MA) chipped in with ten points, three boards and three assists.
Leading by just two points (17-15) late in the first half, the Bears outscored the Rams 14-5 over the final 5 ½ minutes to take a 31-20 lead into the intermission. Cuddihy scored all 11 of her points during the run which included her three three-pointers.
BSC dominated play in the second half holding the Rams to just 18 points in the final stanza. The Bears got up by as many as 29 points (64-35) before settling for the 66-38 victory.
All 12 players scored for the Bears as the BSC bench outscored the Framingham reserves, 32-9, led by Houtman's ten-point effort. Sophomore guard Heather McPherson (Mansfield, MA) added seven points off the bench while also dishing out three assists.
Senior guard Allie Hart (Somerset, MA) paced the Rams with eight points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Freshman center Patrecia Bradshaw (Cambridge, MA) added seven points and four boards off the bench.
The MASCAC schedule resumes for Bridgewater on Saturday as the Bears travel to Fitchburg State College to take on the Falcons at 1 PM. Fitchburg trails BSC in the conference standings as the Falcons are in third place with a MASCAC record of 5-2. Framingham hosts Worcester State College on Saturday at 3:30.