BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Five different Bears scored in double figures as the Bridgewater State University men's basketball team opened the 2010-2011 season with a convincing 95-64 victory over Western New England College on Tuesday evening at the Tinsley Center in Bridgewater.
The Bears led by 14 points at the intermission (47-33) and got up by as many as 33 late in the second half as they coasted to the win. Bridgewater used a 13-2 run midway through the final stanza to break the game open.
Sophomore transfer Anthony Fortes (East Providence, R.I.) was solid in his Bridgewater debut as he paced the Bears with game-highs of 17 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Judah Jackson (Everett, Mass.) added 16 points, four assists and three boards, while classmate Samuel Johnson (North Chelmsford, Mass.) chipped in with 15 points, six rebounds and three steals.
Seniors Corey Connor (Providence, R.I.) and Nicholas Motta (Fairhaven, Mass.) rounded out the Bears' double figure scorers. Connor finished with 11 points to go along with three assists and two rebounds, while Motta notched ten points, five boards, four assists and a game-high four steals. Motta now has 966 points in his four seasons at BSU.
Bridgewater shot 49% (34-for-70) from the floor and knocked down 6 of 15 three-point attempts (40%) and 21 of 27 free throws (78%). The Bears also forced 30 turnovers. The 95 points matches the Bears highest scoring output of a season ago. Bridgewater scored as many points in 95-92 win at home over Rhode Island College last November.
Senior forward Brad Thomka (Springfield, Mass.) led the way for Western New England College with 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Senior guard Kyle Bean (Westhampton, Mass.) added 11 points, five boards and a pair of steals.
The Golden Bears struggled from long range connecting on only 3 of 21 (14%) three-point field goal tries.
Bridgewater State (1-0) will head to Susquehanna University on Friday for the Pepsi/Weis Market Tip-Off Tournament. The Bears will take on King's College in their opening game of the four-team tournament at 6:00 PM. Western New England (0-1) will host the Golden Bears Hoop Classic this weekend. WNEC will take on Lesley University in the tournament semifinals at 8:00 PM on Saturday.