NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Bridgewater State University opened the 2010-2011 season with an 81-74 victory over Albright College in the semifinals of the Hunter College Women's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament on Friday evening.
Bridgewater's starting five combined to score 76 of the team's 81 points with seniors Brittney Chappron and Corey Cuddihy and sophomore Elisha Homich netting 16 points apiece. Cuddihy also dished out a team-high six assists and recorded three steals.
BSU freshmen Megan Boutilette and Jenna Williamson were impressive in their collegiate debuts. Boutilette posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds to go along with four steals, three assists and three blocks. Williamson tallied 14 points, eight boards and four assists as she was a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range.
The Bears' starting five combined to shoot 12-for-19 from behind the arc.
The Lady Lions saw senior MariLynn McMonagle take over on the offensive side of the ball scoring a career-best 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting from the field, which included two 3-pointers. Her 11 rebounds was also a career best and marked the first time in her career McMonagle posted a double-double.
Also managing a double-double against the Bears was freshman Meghan Boyle. Boyle put up 14 points and recorded 11 rebounds in her collegiate debut. Senior Jessica McGinness totaled 11 points and Rose Williamson added 10 of her own to close out Albright's top scorers. Senior guard Rory Yerkes added six assists along with McGinness.
Proving to be the deciding factor in Friday's tough loss to the Bears, were the Lions 21 turnovers. Bridgewater took advantage of those opportunities scoring 21 of their 81 points off the Lady Lions miscues. Bridgewater was charged with just 14 turnovers.
Throughout the contest, the two teams went back-and-forth. After falling into an early hole, the Lady Lions clawed their way back to take over on the scoreboard at the midway point of the opening half. Bridgewater ended the first half with a one point lead, 33-32, after a pair of late three-pointers by Chappron and Williamson.
In the second half, Bridgewater jumped out to an early seven point lead, but it did not last as the Lady Lions quickly tied the game at 44-44 seven minutes in. From there the two would exchange control of the lead until the nine minute mark. Using a 10-2 run midway through the second stanza, Bridgewater was able to jump back out to their biggest lead of the night, 60-52.
The Bears then extended their lead to double-figures, 71-57, on back-to-back Cuddihy trifectas as the clock ticked down to 5:28 left to play. Albright got as close as five points with 52 seconds remaining, but Williamson and Homich knocked down four straight free throws to put the game away.
The Bears (1-0) will now face the host Hawks of Hunter College at 3 p.m. tomorrow afternoon in the tournament championship game. Albright (0-1) will take on New Jersey City University in the consolation game at 1.