AMHERST, Mass. -- The #2 ranked Amherst College women's basketball team scored the first 23 points of its game Saturday as the Purple & White cruised to a 72-33 non-conference win over Bridgewater State University at LeFrak Gymnasium.

Marley Giddins posted a game-high 15 points and Hannah Hackley added 13 and six rebounds to pace Amherst. Meredith Doswellled all players with eight boards, while Jackie Nagle grabbed seven and Cheyenne Pritchard pulled down six.

Amherst controlled the glass with a commanding 52-29 edge in rebounding, and also scored 32 points in the paint compared to eight from Bridgewater State.

The Bears did not have one player in double-figures as they were led by Danielle Arcidiacono's eight points, while Chanelle Melton and Megan Ianiro added seven each. Melton also grabbed seven rebounds and recorded four steals, and Stephanie DeSantis recorded a team-high two assists.

The first quarter was all Amherst as the home team shut out the Bears, 23-0 and held a 16-4 edge in rebounding.

After being held scoreless in the first 10 minutes of action, Bridgewater State came out strong in the second stanza and snapped Amherst's run within the opening seconds after a jumper by Arcidiacono.

The Bears got within 19 during a competitive, 14-14 second quarter, but the deficit was too large to overcome as Amherst held a 37-14 lead at the break.

Ali Doswell led all players at halftime with nine points, while Arcidiacono registered a team-high five for the visitor's.

Much like the first quarter, Amherst cruised during the first 10 minutes of the second half and opened the third quarter on an 11-0 run. Following a lay-up by Giddins at the 7:17 mark, Amherst held a commanding 48-14 lead. The Purple & White outscored the Bears, 26-8 during the third.

Bridgewater State hit two three-pointers on its first two possessions of the fourth quarter, and outscored Amherst 11-9 in the final 10 minutes, but the home team walked away with a 39-point win.

Amherst returns to the court Wednesday, Dec. 9 and will head on the road for a non-conference matchup against Rhode Island College. Bridgewater State is back in action Tuesday, Dec. 8 for a road game against Tufts University at 7:30 p.m.