WORCESTER, Mass. -- Senior Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, MA) scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds to help lift Worcester State to a 55-52 triumph over Bridgewater State in MASCAC women's basketball action this evening at Lancer Gymnasium.
The Lancers (8-9, 2-3 MASCAC) also received help from freshman Chyenne Jennings (Worcester, MA) who netted 12 points and classmate Shannen El-Qasem (Rutland, MA) had a great all-around game with eight caroms, six points and a game-high four assists.
Senior Shelly DePina (New Bedford, MA) paced the Bears (9-6, 3-1 MASCAC) with 12 points, a contest-high nine boards with three assists and a pair of blocks. Sophomore Jenna Williamson (Ludlow, MA) registered nine points, six boards and three assists, while junior Michaela Cosby (Walpole, MA) added six points, five boards and a trio of helpers.
Following four ties and two lead changes, Worcester State would emerge with the 15-14 advantage on the back of a lay-up by senior Molly Hein (Hudson, NH) near the midway point. The visitors then surged ahead with an 11-1 run to take the 25-16 edge with 8:25 left.
The Lancers responded with a 16-6 spurt as they would pull ahead 32-31 with 1:13 remaining in the stanza.
Bridgewater State, however, would end the half with the one-point edge (33-32) at the intermission on a pair of free throws by Williamson.
To start off the second period, the lead would change hands five times and the score would be equaled over the first 13 minutes of the frame as no team would hold more than a two-point advantage.
With the score knotted at 46-46 at the 7:21 mark, the Lancers would go on a 9-2 rally to jump ahead 55-48 lead with 4:00 on the clock.
The crowd would then be treated to an old-fashioned defensive battle as the Bears would hold Worcester State scoreless for the remainder of the contest and the Lancers would nearly do the same to their opponents.
With 2:20 remaining, Williamson made it a three-point game with a lay-up and a pair of baskets from the charity stripe, but Bridgewater State would miss their final three shots in the final 90 seconds of the contest.
The Lancers shot well from the floor as they connected on 41 percent of their shots (20-for-49) including going 4-for-8 (50 percent) from behind the arc. BSU shot a modest 21-for-61 (34 percent) clip overall as they struggled in the second half connecting on just 23 percent (7-for-31).
The Bears held the edge in the paint (32-18) and on the fast break (14-3). The Lancers bench held the slim edge in points (17-15) while they also out rebounded Bridgewater State (41-33) as both were even in offensive boards (13-13).
Both teams will play MASCAC opponent Salem State, who currently holds the top-spot in the conference standings. The Blue and Gold will travel to play the Vikings on Tuesday for a 5:30 PM tilt while the Bears will host SSU on Saturday at 1 o'clock.
- Courtesy Worcester State Sports Information Office -