WESTFIELD, Mass. – Senior center Cassy Jouannet (Conway/Frontier Regional) had game highs of 21 points, nine rebounds and three steals to lead the streaking Westfield State University women's basketball team to a 65-51 victory over Western New England College in non-conference action Thursday, Feb. 10.

The Owls won their eighth straight and boosted their overall record to 17-5. Westfield – in sole possession of first place in the MASCAC with an 8-1 mark - is idle this Saturday and completes the regular season with three conference games next week. WNEC's record is 12-10.

Westfield dominated WNEC in the first 30 minutes as the Owls played tough defense (WNEC committed 24 turnovers) and moved the ball well offensively (Westfield had 20 assists on its 24 field goals).

Westfield bolted to an 11-0 lead in the opening four minutes and led 38-16 at halftime led by 14 points from Jouannet.

The teams traded baskets during the opening six minutes of the second half, then the Owls put away the game with an 11-2 run to take an insurmountable lead of 28 points, 57-29, with 11:18 remaining.

With both teams substituting freely in the game's final 11 minutes, with the Golden Bears holding the upper hand by outscoring the Owls, 22-8.

The Big Three of Jouannet, senior forward Ashley Finnegan (Worcester/Holy Name) and sophomore guard Briana Kelly (Hampden/Minnechaug) combined to score 49 of Westfield's points.

Kelly tallied 17 points and three steals and Finnegan finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Sophomore guard Jenny Bell (Northampton) led the Owls' strong defensive effort while guarding WNEC leading scorer Emily Savino (Ellington, CT), who was held to two points.

Junior reserve forward Sarah Proper (Coxsackie, NY) was WNEC's only player in double figures with 13 points.