BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Junior forward Kailyn Aguiar (Acushnet, Mass.) posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench to lead the Bridgewater State University women's basketball team to a convincing 68-36 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over visiting Salem State University on Wednesday evening at the Tinsley Center.
The host Bears improve to 9-13 on the season and 5-4 in the MASCAC with their fifth straight win, while the Vikings fall to 8-15 overall and 4-6 in conference play. Bridgewater avenged a 41-39 setback to Salem back on January 17th.
Aguiar connected on 6 of 8 field goal attempts and seven of her game-high 11 boards came off the offensive glass. Senior forward Chanelle Melton (Brockton, Mass.) added 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists, a season-high four blocked shots and a pair of steals, while junior guard Sara DaSilva (Chelmsford, Mass.) contributed 14 points and three steals. Melton now has 974 points in her career.
BSU sophomore guard Nicole Bostick (Bridgewater, Mass.) came off the bench to score 11 points in just 12 minutes of action. Bostick was a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor including 3-for-3 from three-point range.
Bridgewater held a 12-10 lead at the end of one as the two teams combined to turn the ball over 13 times in the opening period. The Bears trailed 8-2 after 4 ½ minutes of play but closed out the quarter with a 10-2 run. DaSilva scored five points during the spurt, including a three-pointer, while Melton added four.
The BSU defensive pressure dominated the second quarter as the Bears held the Vikings to nine points and forced six turnovers in the period. A 10-0 run capped off by Bostick trifecta gave Bridgewater a 12-point (26-14) advantage with 1:22 remaining. The Bears would ultimately take a 28-18 lead into the break.
DaSilva led all players with nine first-half points.
Bridgewater outscored Salem 20-7 in the third quarter to open up a 48-26 lead and put the game well out of reach. The Bears got up by as many as 33 points in the final period and coasted to the 68-36 victory.
The BSU defense forced 25 turnovers for the game and held the Vikings to just 30% (13-43) shooting. Offensively, the Bears shot 48% (28-59) from the floor, including 8-for-19 (42%) from behind the arc.
Junior forward Kia Fernandes (Wareham, Mass.) and senior guard Norma Waggett (Saugus, Mass.) tallied ten points apiece to lead the way for Salem. Fernandes also notched a team-best nine boards to go along with two assists, three blocks and a steal, while Waggett grabbed five rebounds.
Wednesday's contest marked the Bears' annual "Play 4 Kay" game in support of breast cancer awareness and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
The MASCAC schedule continues for both teams on Saturday afternoon at one. The Bears travel to Framingham State University while the Vikings head to Westfield State University.