Providence, RI-Senior guard Brittney Chappron (Braintree, MA) scored 16 points to lead the Bridgewater State women's basketball team to a 73-66 win at Rhode Island College on Tuesday night.

The win lifts the Bears to a 3-0 mark, the first time in Head Coach Bridgett Casey's 14-year tenure that BSU has won its first three contests to open the season. RIC (3-1) suffers it first loss of the season.

Senior guard Corey Cuddihy (Scituate, MA) contributed 14 points, five rebounds and three assists for the winners. Freshman guard Megan Boutilette (Charlton, MA) posted eight points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

RIC junior guard Stephanie Coro (North Providence, RI) led all scorers with 21 points, while classmate forward Rachel Riley (Coventry, RI) posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Lauren Harrington (Exeter, RI) had five points, eight rebounds, four steals and dished out a game-high five assists. Sophomore forward Courtney Burns (Rockland, MA) was one rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine boards.

"We had too many mental mistakes and missed opportunities in a close game against a good Bridgewater team," RIC Head Coach Marcus Reilly said. "We can't expect to win unless we play to our own level of expectations on a consistent basis."

The Bears found themselves trailing, 31-16, with 7:25 left in the first half. BSU erupted on a 17-2 run to close out the first stanza and tie the game, 33-all, at the break. RIC was shutout over the half's final 4:01.

Bridgewater State kept up the pressure after the break as Chappron and Boutilette each cashed in a three-pointer to give the visitors a 39-33 lead, capping the 23-2 run just 1:11 into the final half.

The Anchorwomen came right back with six straight points over the next 1:27 to even the game at 39-39. Bridgewater rattled off five straight on a Chappron three and a sophomore guard Nicole Homich (Ludlow, MA) layup to hold a 44-39 lead at the 16:45 mark.

A 6-1 run by the hosts tied the game, 45-45, at 15:34, keyed by four points by Riley. A Harrington free throw with 10:27 left broke a 51-51 tie and gave the Anchorwomen their first lead since the first half.

The hosts battled to widen the lead to 54-51 at 9:31 on a layup by junior guard Brittany Saccoccio (Glocester, RI).

RIC took its final lead of the game, 57-56, with 8:44 left, but a Cuddihy three-pointer 45 seconds later put the visitors back on top. The game was tied 65-65 with 2:58 left. Bridgewater sealed the win with six free throws, capped by freshman guard Jenna Williamson (Ludlow, MA) with seven seconds left.

For the game, Bridgewater State outrebounded RIC, 50-40, but committed 32 turnovers. Three-point shooting was also a key factor as BSU connected 10 of 23 (43 percent), while the Anchorwomen made only one in 15 attempts and were 0-for-five in the second half.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will travel to WPI on Sunday, Nov. 28.

-end-