FITCHBURG, Mass. – Defending Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's basketball champion Bridgewater State University opened conference play with a convincing 90-47 victory over host Fitchburg State University on Saturday afternoon at the Recreation Center.

Senior forward Michaela Cosby (Walpole, Mass.) paced the visiting Bears (9-2, 1-0 MASCAC) as she posted a double-double with 16 points and ten rebounds.  Cosby, who connected on 6 of 9 field goal attempts, also added seven assists and four steals.

All five Bridgewater State starters finished in double-figure scoring led by Cosby's game-high 16 points.  Junior forward Megan Boutilette (Charlton, Mass.) notched 13 points to go along with seven boards and three steals.  Senior guard Elisha Homich (Ludlow, Mass.) registered 12 points, four assists and two steals, while junior guard Colleen Hanscom (Melrose, Mass.) recorded 11 points, six rebounds and five steals.  Junior guard Jenna Williamson (Ludlow, Mass.) added 11 points, four boards and three steals.

The BSU defense was impressive throughout the contest as the Bears forced 38 turnovers thanks in large part to 22 steals.  Bridgewater scored an impressive 47 points off the Falcons' 38 miscues.  The Bears also held Fitchburg junior forward Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass.) to just nine points and six rebounds. Fahey entered the game averaging a MASCAC leading 19.6 points a game as well as 7.8 rebounds.

Bridgewater used an 18-3 run midway through the first half to take a commanding 48-22 lead into the intermission. The Bears continued to pull away in the second half and got up by as many as 44 points (88-44) before setting for the 90-47 victory.

The Bears shot 47.3% (35-74) from the floor while the Falcons connected on just 18 of 55 (32.7%) field goal attempts.

Sophomore forward Megan Wodzinski (Littleton, Mass.) was the only Falcon to finish with double-digit points as she came off the bench to score 14 points while also grabbing six rebounds.

In upcoming action, Bridgewater travels to MASCAC foe Framingham State University on Tuesday night to take on the Rams at six, while Fitchburg heads to Fisher College on Wednesday (6:00 PM) for a non-conference game with the Falcons.

Notes: The 43-point win is the Bears' largest margin of victory since a 105-60 triumph over Thomas College in the 2011-2012 season opener…The last time the Bears forced as many turnovers was also against Thomas (38) a season ago.