BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Westfield State University women's basketball team used a stellar defensive effort as the Owls knocked off host Bridgewater State University in overtime, 65-61, in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon in Bridgewater.

The game marked the conference opener for both teams as Westfield improved to 8-4 on the season and 1-0 in the MASCAC, while Bridgewater dropped to 9-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Westfield won despite shooting just 34% (25-74) from the floor and 48% (10-21) at the free throw line.  The Owls, however, forced 29 Bridgewater turnovers, corralled 22 offensive rebounds, and attempted 16 more field goals than BSU.

Senior forward Ashley Finnegan (Worcester, Mass.) paced the visitors with a double-double as she tallied 16 points (including the game-winning bucket) and 11 boards to go along with two blocks and two steals.  Senior center Cassy Jouannet (Conway, Mass.) also posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards while adding four assists.  Sophomore guard Briana Kelly (Hampden, Mass.) chipped in with 14 points, seven board and five steals, and sophomore guard Courtney DelRatez (Adams, Mass.) added 11 points off the bench.

Junior forward Shelly DePina (New Bedford, Mass.) paced Bridgewater with a double-double effort of 13 points and 13 rebounds.  Sophomore guard Elisha Homich (Lowell, Mass.) notched 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals, while junior forward Monica-Sabina Bharoocha (North Smithfield, R.I.) added 12 points and four boards.

The game was close throughout with neither team leading by more than eight points.  Bridgewater held that eight point advantage (27-19) with a minute and a half remaining in the first stanza, but  back-to-back three-pointers by Kelly to close out the half pulled Westfield to within two (27-25) as the teams headed to the intermission.

In the second half there were eight ties and four lead changes.  After a Homich three-pointer gave BSU a four-point edge at 57-53 with 2:09 left to play, Westfield would force three Bridgewater turnovers over the final minute and a half.  Two free throws by Finnegan and a Kelly layup with 1:07 remaining tied the score at 57-57.  The Owls would have four shots to take the lead in the final 30 seconds thanks to four offensive rebounds but could not convert as the game headed to overtime.

A Finnegan jumper was answered by a Corey Cuddihy (Scituate, Mass.) three-pointer to open the extra session as the Bears led by one with the clock ticking under four minutes to play. Cuddihy would then knock down one of two free throws to make it a two-point BSU advantage, 61-59, at the 2:47 mark.  Bridgewater, however, would not score again.

Following a Bridgewater turnover, Jouannet tied the score at 61-61 on a layup with 2:32 left to play. It would stay that way until there were 27 seconds left when Finnegan dropped in a layup to put the Owls up by two.  Homich was unable to connect on a three with nine second left and DePina could not convert off an offensive rebound on the Bears' ensuing possession.  Sophomore guard Jenny Belly (Northampton, Mass.) then iced the game with a pair of free throws.

Bridgewater will travel to MASCAC foe Framingham State University on Tuesday night for a 5:30 tip-off with the Rams.  Westfield hosts conference rival Worcester State also on Tuesday at 5:30.