SALEM, Mass. -- Bridgewater State built a huge first half lead and coasted the rest of the way to claim a 70-53 victory over Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) foe Salem State on Saturday afternoon at James Twohig Gymnasium.

The Bears never trailed en route to their second win in three games, and improved to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Vikings dropped their fifth straight as they fell to 3-10 on the season and 0-4 in the MASCAC.

Salem State was undone by a six-minute stretch in the first half, in which the Vikings missed nine consecutive shots, and were outscored 14-1. The drought turned a 9-7 BSU lead into a comfortable 23-8 advantage with just over nine minutes remaining. Jenna Williamson (Ludlow, Mass.) led the surge, canning a three-pointer and another jumper, while Shelly DePina (New Bedford, Mass.) and Brittney Chappron (Braintree, Mass.) scored from down low.  Meghan Boutilette (Charlton, Mass.) and Corey Cuddihy (Scituate, Mass.) also connected on four free throws.

When Breanna Comeau (Amesbury, Mass.) finally scored for Salem, the damage had been done. The Bears led 23-10, and cruised into halftime with a 40-22 advantage. Salem State shot just 24% (8-34) from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including 2-12 from three-point range. Bridgewater State was 13-32 (41%) in the first half.

The Bears' lead ballooned to 27 in the second half, as Monica-Sabina Bharoocha (North Smithfield, R.I.) scored six straight points, and Williamson drilled another three to give them a 53-26 advantage with 16 minutes left in the game. A 12-0 run brought the Vikings back to within 15 (59-44), as Amy Barry (Manchester, N.H.) hit a three and Comeau converted a three-point play, but SSU could get no closer.

Micahela Cosby (Walpole, Mass.) led the way for the Bears with a double-double as she posted game-high totals of 15 points (6-7 shooting) and 11 rebounds to go along with three assists. Bharoocha added 14 points, while Williamson finished with 11.

Comeau, Lisa Aylward (Everett, Mass.), and Ginny Flemming (Peabody, Mass.) scored nine points apiece to lead Salem State. The Vikings were victimized by 23 turnovers, which led to 28 points for Bridgewater State.

SSU returns to MASCAC action Tuesday night when it travels to Worcester State. Bridgewater State hosts conference rival MCLA on Wednesday.