BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore guard Jennifer Whyte (Braintree, Mass.) scored 15 points and junior forward Chanelle Melton (Brockton, mass.) added 13 to lead the Bridgewater State University women's basketball team to an 88-50 MASCAC win over visiting Fitchburg State University on Saturday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.
The host Bears improve to 9-11 on the season and 6-2 in the MASCAC, while the Falcons fall to 0-21 overall and 0-8 in conference play.
Whyte connected on 4 of 7 three-points field goals and added a steal in 22 minutes off the bench. Melton went 6 for 8 from the floor and notched two rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot.
Junior guard Shabeli Villa (Lawrence, Mass.) paced the visitors with 15 points, two rebounds, a pair of assists and four steals.
Bridgewater put the game out of reach early. Following a Villa layup to open the scoring, Bridgewater reeled off 12 straight points to take a 12-2 lead. After the Falcons cut the deficit to 12-5, the Bears closed out the period with a 15-1 run to take a commanding 27-8 advantage into the second quarter. Melton scored all 13 of her points in the opening quarter.
The second quarter was fairly evenly played as the Bears carried a 45-25 lead into the break. Bridgewater extended its lead to as many as 22 points (34-14) in the period.
Melton led all players with 13 points in the first half while Whyte and classmate Janet Maher (Mansfield, Mass.) each scored six points.
The Bears outscored the Falcons 30-5 in the third quarter as Fitchburg was held scoreless for more than six minutes to start the period. Bridgewater got up by as many as 48 points (88-40) in the final quarter before settling for the 88-50 victory.
Maher finished with 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting to go along with six rebounds, three assists and one steal in 23 minutes off the bench. Sophomore guard Rhiana Page (Brookline, Mass.) also came off the bench to score ten points in 11 minutes of work as she went 5-for-6 from the floor. The BSU reserves accounted for 43 of the team's 88 points.
Junior forward Jennie Lindland (Edgartown, Mass.) added nine points, seven rebounds, three assists, a block and two steals for the Bears, while senior guard Vanesa Conceicao (New Bedford, Mass.) checked in with eight points and a game-high seven assists. The Bears assisted on 28 of their 35 made field goals with junior guard Chelsea Saucier (Portland, Maine) also contributing six helpers.
Bridgewater held a 36-23 rebounding advantage as well as a decided edge in points off turnovers (39-7), points in the paint (46-20), second chance points (24-6) and bench points (43-13). The Bears shot 54% (35-65) from the floor and 39% (11-28) from behind the arc.
The MASCAC schedule continues for both teams on Wednesday evening at 5:30. The Bears travel to Salem State University to take on the Vikings, while the Falcons entertain the Lancers of Worcester State University.