BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Behind a 20-point effort from sophomore guard Corey Cuddihy (Scituate, MA), the Bridgewater State College women's basketball team defeated Lesley University, 73-56, this afternoon at the Tinsley Center in Bridgewater.
The Bears improve to 4-2 on the season with the non-conference win, while Lesley drops to 1-3.
Cuddidy scored 13 of her team-high 20 points in the second half including three straight three-pointers which ballooned the Bears lead from 15 points (45-30) to 24 (54-30) with 14:03 left in the stanza. She connected on 4-of-6 three-pointers for the game and also added four assists.
Bridgewater took control of the contest in the final eight minutes of the opening half. With the score knotted at 19-19, BSC ended the half on a 16-4 run to take a 35-23 lead into the intermission. Lesley was able to cut the deficit to 11 points with about six minutes to go, but were unable to get any closer.
The lynx, who shot an impressive 91% (19-for-21) at the free throw line, struggled with turnovers throughout the game. Lesley turned the ball over 33 times including 21 miscues in the first half. The Lynx also connected on just 1 of 10 three-point attempts and shot 35% (18-for-51) from the floor for the game.
After shooting just 55% from the free throw line through the first five game of the season, Bridgewater finally got going from the charity stripe. The Bears connected on 16 of 20 free throw attempts while making some key free throws down the stretch after Lesley had cut the lead down to 11.
Sophomore forward Carolyn Swanson (Stoughton, MA) was the only other Bear in double figures as she scored 12 points to go along with seven rebounds. Freshman guard Stephanie Houtman (New Bedford, MA) added nine points, six rebounds, six steals and four assists.
Lesley was led by sophomore forward Kaitlyn Wechsler (Merrick, NY) who tallied a game-high 22 points. Wechsler, who was a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line, also pulled down five rebounds and dished out three assists. Sophomore center Brianne Caira (Pelham, NH) posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while also adding four assists.
BSC is home again next Tuesday night as the Bears host Curry College at 7 PM. Lesley is also in action on Tuesday night as the Lynx entertain Emmanuel College at 8.