BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior forward Shelly DePina (New Bedford, Mass.) posted a double-double with 20 points and ten rebounds to lead the Bridgewater State University women's basketball team to a 72-63 victory over MASCAC rival Salem State University on Saturday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.
The host Bears improve to 10-6 on the season and 4-1 in the MASCAC, while the Vikings fall to 8-9 overall and 4-1 in conference play. The two teams are tied atop the MASCAC standings. Salem sees its five game winning streak come to an end.
DePina, who was one of four Bears to finish in double-figure scoring, also added two assists and three steals on the afternoon and five of her game-high ten boards came off the offensive glass. Sophomore guard Jenna Williamson (Ludlow, Mass.) added 17 points, three assists and a pair of steals for Bridgewater, while junior forward Michaela Cosby (Walpole, Mass.) chipped in with ten points and four steals. Sophomore forward Megan Boutilette (Charlton, Mass.) had a terrific all around game for the Bears as she notched ten points, eight caroms, five assists, two blocks and seven steals.
Freshman guard Rachael Carter (Merrimack, N.H.) paced Salem with 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals. Junior guard Sandra Lanier (Groton, Mass.) and senior guard Amy Barry (Manchester, N.H.) added 14 and ten points apiece for the Vikings. Senior forward Breanna Comeau (Amesbury, Mass.) was the leading rebounder for the visitors with ten.
Bridgewater never trailed in the game as the Bears scored the first eight points of the contest and jumped out to 12-2 lead just three minutes into the first half. Salem got as close as five points (15-10) in the opening stanza before Bridgewater pulled away with an 18-6 run over the final eight minutes to take a commanding 37-19 advantage into the intermission. The Bears forced 20 Viking turnovers over the first 20 minutes which led to 21 points off those miscues.
The Bears would get up by as much as 19 points in the second half. Salem was unable to get the deficit under ten points until a late three by Carter with 19 seconds left accounted for the final tally of 72-63.
Both teams struggled with their shooting both from the floor and at the free throw line. Bridgewater connected on 23 of 70 (33%) field goal attempts and converted just 20 of 35 (57%) free throws. Salem shot 39% (23-60) from the floor and 55% (12-22) at the charity stripe. The Vikings would finish with 32 turnovers in the contest which BSU turned into 33 points.
Bridgewater travels to MASCAC foe MCLA on Wednesday (5:30) while Salem entertains conference rival Worcester State on Tuesday (5:30).