BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Junior guard Meaghan Burns (West Brookfield, Mass.) scored a team-best 16 points, and senior center Meaghan O'Keefe (Warren, Mass.) posted a double-double with 14 points and 19 rebounds, to lead the visiting Lancers of Worcester State to a 76-71 victory over Bridgewater State in MASCAC women's basketball action on Thursday evening at the Tinsley Center.
The Lancers, who overcame a 17-point first half deficit, even their overall record at 9-9 with the win and remain unbeaten in conference play with a perfect 5-0 mark. Bridgewater falls to 12-3 on the season and 3-1 in the MASCAC as the Bears' six-game winning streak comes to an end.
BSU senior guard Elisha Homich (Ludlow, Mass.) paced the hosts with a career-high 27 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists, four blocked shots and three steals. It was her fourth straight game with 20 or more points. Junior guard Colleen Hanscom (Melrose, Mass.) added ten points, four boards, three assists and five steals.
Bridgewater used a 9-0 run late in the first half to open up a commanding 39-22 lead with 2:03 remaining in the stanza. The Bears, however, had a chance to open up a larger lead but missed three shots and did not take advantage of two Worcester turnovers in the final two minutes while also giving up three offensive rebounds. The third Lancer offensive board led to an O'Keefe traditional three-point play with 23 seconds remaining as the teams headed to the intermission with the Bears leading by 14 (39-25).
Worcester carried the momentum into the second half and completely dominated play over the first 12 minutes of the period, outscoring the Bears 32-8 over that span. Burns scored 14 of her 16 points during that time frame including, at one point, four straight baskets.
Trailing 70-60 with 1:12 remaining, the Bears used a quick 8-1 spurt over the next 39 seconds capped off by a Homich three-pointer to pull to within three points at 71-68. The Lancers, however, knocked down 5 of 6 attempts from the charity stripe in the final 30 seconds while the Bears missed two critical free throws.
After shooting just 33% (10-30) in the first half, the Lancers were lights out over the final twenty minutes converting 75% (21-28) of their field goal attempts. The Bears, who were the polar opposite, shot 52% (16-31) from the floor in the opening stanza, but just 32% (11-34) in the second half. The two teams combined to turn the ball over 51 times, while Worcester held a 39-35 rebounding advantage.
In upcoming action, the Bears travel to MASCAC rival Salem State on Saturday afternoon to take on the Vikings at one. The Lancers are off until next Tuesday night when they entertain those same Vikings at six.