BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Senior forward Megan Boutilette(Charlton, Mass.) posted a double-double with 18 points and ten rebounds to lead the Bridgewater State University women's basketball team to a 59-52 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over visiting Framingham State University on Tuesday evening at the Tinsley Center.
The Bears improve to 8-6 on the season and 2-1 in the MASCAC, while the Rams slip to 9-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
Along with her 18th career double-double, Boutilette added two blocked shots and three steals. She also became the all-time leading rebounder in BSU women's basketball history as she surpassed Hall of Famer Lynn Malkasian's previous school mark of 780. Boutilette now has 786 rebounds in four seasons with the Bears.
Sophomore forward Chanelle Melton (Brockton, Mass.) chipped in 14 points on 7 of 10 shooting to go along with six rebounds, a block and a steal.
Senior guard Nicole Bostic (Easton, Mass.) led four Rams in double-figure scoring with 13 points. Bostic knocked down 3 of 7 three-point attempts and recorded a game-high four steals.
Sophomore guard Monta Connolly (Lynn, Mass.) registered a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with four assists, while sophomore centerAlycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, Mass.) tallied 12 points, six boards, two blocks and three steals. Sophomore forward Sarah Palace (Auburn, Mass.) added 12 points.
In the opening stanza, Framingham jumped out to a 15-4 lead as the Rams held the Bears to just one field goal over the first eight minutes of the contest. Palace tallied all seven of her first half points during the run.
Bridgewater responded with a 10-2 run highlighted by a pair of three-pointers by senior guard Rachel Kusz (Worcester, Mass.) to close the gap to 17-14 as the clock ticked under eight minutes in the half.
The Rams stayed out in front the remainder of the period and took a 30-26 advantage into the break.
Bostic and Boutilette each scored ten points over the first twenty minutes to lead their respective teams.
Framingham extended its lead to nine, 37-28, on a Rackliffe layup with 12:57 remaining in the second half. The Rams gave up just two points over the first seven minutes of the stanza.
A quick 6-0 BSU spurt on a pair of layups by Melton and junior guard Vanesa Conceicao (New Bedford, Mass.) and a jumper by sophomore guard Chelsea Saucier (Portland, Maine) pulled the Bears to within three at 37-34 midway through the period.
Later in the half, a breakaway layup by senior guard Melissa Daigle (Rockland, Mass.) cut the deficit to one, 39-38. The Rams responded with a Palace three-pointer at the 8:07 mark and a Rackliffe layup with 6:32 remaining to give the visitors a 44-38 advantage.
Framingham, however, turned the ball over five times and would not score over the next three minutes. An 8-0 BSU run highlighted by four points from Boutilette on a layup and a pair of free throws put the Bears on top for the first time of the game, 48-44, with 3:20 left to play.
A Boutilette layup sandwiched around a Connolly layup and Palace jumper kept Bridgewater out in front, 50-48, as the clock ticked under two minutes.
Following Palace's bucket, Melton answered with a layup and Saucier converted 1 of 2 free throws on the Bears' next possession to extend the lead to 53-48 with just over a minute remaining. Saucier would finish with five points, seven rebounds, three assists, a block and steal in 29 minutes off the bench.
Freshman center Casie Thurber (Springfield, Mass.) made 1 of 2 free throws at the other end of the floor to pull Framingham to within four with just 59 seconds left on the clock. That, however, would be as close as the Rams would get the rest of the way.
The Bears shot 35% (20-58) for the game and knocked down 17 of 22 (77%) free throw attempts led by Boutilette who was 5-for-7 from the floor and a perfect 8-for-8 at the charity stripe. Bridgewater also held a 47-39 rebounding advantage.
The Rams connected on 31% (19-61) of their field goal attempts and finished just 10 for 16 (63%) at the line.
The two teams combined to turn the ball over 39 times and points off turnovers was even at 17 apiece. Both teams also struggle from behind the arc as the Bears finished 2-for-14 (14%) and the Rams went 4-for-17 (24%).
The Bears are back in action on Thursday evening when they travel to UMass Boston to take on the Beacons at 5:30 PM. The Rams entertain MASCAC foe MCLA on Saturday afternoon at one.