PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Bridgewater State College women's basketball team spoiled Rhode Island College's home opener as the Bears knocked off the Anchorwomen, 59-52, on Tuesday evening at the Murray Center in Providence.
Junior guard Brittney Chappron (Braintree, MA) led all scorers with a season-high 17 points to lead the Bears to the non-conference victory.
The Bears raise their record to 2-1 overall, while the Anchorwomen fall to 1-4.
The visitors took a six-point advantage and increased it to 12
points, 27-15, over the final 3:18 of the first half. The hosts
stormed back on a 12-2 run to open the second stanza to cut the
deficit to just two points,
29-27.
Chappron and freshman forward Shelly DePina (New Bedford, MA) combined to hit three-point baskets on the Bears next three possessions to build the lead back up to 11, 38-27.
Bridgewater State held a 10-point advantage, 41-31, with 9:36 left. Rhode Island College made the final minutes interesting as senior guard Michelle McNamee (Cranston, RI) and junior guard Alice Mullen (Saunderstown, RI) hit three-pointers to pull RIC within six, 55-49, with 41 seconds left. Chappron was fouled and made five of six from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the win.
DePina was a spark off the bench, contributing 10 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal. Sophomore guard Corey Cuddihy (Scituate, MA) scored 13 points, grabbed five boards and dished out an assist.
Mullen and McNamee led RIC with 12 points apiece. Junior forward Ashley Abrahamson (Raynham, MA) led the team with nine rebounds.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Johnson and Wales on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. Bridgewater travels to UMass Dartmouth next Tuesday night (Dec. 2) for a seven o'clock game with the Corsairs.