Dec 11, 2010
Bridgewater, Mass. – Endicott shot just 13.3% (2-of-15) from beyond the arc but still managed to come within single digits of undefeated Bridgewater State (8-0), losing 77-72 on the road. The Gulls lose their third straight contest and head into the winter break at 5-4.
Endicott seniors Ashley Wright (Merrimack, N.H.) and Ashley Vitale (Wilmington, Mass.) each crept closer to the 1,000 career point mark with 19 and 17 points, respectively. Wright now stands at 941 career points while Vitale is close behind with 924.
Vitale and fellow senior Brittany Kelleher (Wakefield, Mass.) each recorded double-doubles in the loss as Vitale added 10 boards to her 17 points. The center also found her teammates for three assists, earned two steals, and blocked a shot. Kelleher grabbed 11 rebounds to go along with 16 points on 6-of-14 from the floor. Kelleher also added four assists and four steals in a solid overall effort.
Endicott's trio of double-digit scorers was not enough to overcome 21 and 20 points from Bridgewater's Jenna Williamson (Ludlow, Mass.) and Brittney Chappron (Braintree, Mass.). Williamson came off to bench to score all 21 of her points on 8-of-13 shooting including 3-of-6 from three-point range. The freshman was also a factor on the boards with six grabs while adding five assists. Chappron went 6-of-12 from the field with two three-pointers and a near perfect 6-of-7 from the line.
As a team, the Bears shot 41.7% (10-of-24) from beyond the arc and a solid 75.0% (13-of-15) at the free throw line to maintain their lead down the stretch.
Endicott had a 25-24 lead with 7:23 remaining in the first half before Bridgewater went on a 21-10 run to end the half. In the second half, the Gulls would pull to within four points at 62-58 with under 10 minutes remaining in regulation but the Bears were able to push their lead to 11 before a pair of three-pointers at the end of the game cut the lead down to five.
Gulls guards Nicole Heffernan (Londonderry, N.H.) and Ashley Walenta (Plainfield, Conn.) each chipped in with eight points apiece and sophomore Jen McBrien (Medfield, Mass.) dished out a career-high seven assists in the loss.
The Blue and Green dominated points in the paint, outscoring the Bears 42-28 while Bridgewater's bench play was a major factor in the win with 28 points compared to Endicott's 12.
The Gulls will be off until January 6th when they face off against regional rival Salem State on the road. Bridgewater will take on Wheaton College on January 2nd at the Williams College Winter Classic.