BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's basketball team cruised to a 70-39 victory over Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Worcester State University on Wednesday night at the Tinsley Center.

The Bears improve to 7-9 on the season and 3-1 in the MASCAC, while the Lancers fall to 7-10 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Bridgewater has won three straight games and four of its last five.

BSU senior forward Jennie Lindland (Edgartown, Mass.) led all players with 17 points. Lindland connected on 8 of 10 field goals and tallied two rebounds and three steals.

Senior guard Chelsea Saucier (Portland, Maine) and sophomore guard Sara DaSilva (Chelmsford, Mass.) each contributed 12 points for the Bears. Saucier also filled the stat sheet with a season-high eight assists to go along with four steals and a blocked shot. DaSilva went 5-for-9 from the floor including 2-for-3 from behind the arc while also recording four steals, two rebounds and a block.

Junior forward Rhiana Page (Brookline, Mass.) checked in with eight points, four rebounds and five assists.

Sophomore center Britt Herring (West Brookfield, Mass.) paced the visitors with 14 points on 7 of 13 shooting.

Bridgewater dominated the first quarter and never looked back, outscoring the Lancers, 25-5, in the period. The Bears went 10-for-17 from the floor and 4-for-5 at the free throw line over the first ten minutes, and held the visitors to just two field goals (2-for-11).

Bridgewater kept the lead around 20 points for most of the second quarter and headed to the break with a 37-19 advantage.

Saucier led all players with ten points in the first half, while Lindland added eight on 4 of 5 shooting.

The Bears' advantage never got below 18 points in the second half. The 31-point final margin proved to be the largest lead of the game.

Bridgewater shot 48% (28-59) for the game and finished 11-for-14 (79%) at the free throw line. The Bears' suffocating defense forced 28 turnovers and held the Lancers to 36% (16-44) shooting. Bridgewater turned those 28 Worcester miscues into 36 points as the Bears held a decided 36-5 edge in points off turnovers.

The MASCAC schedule continues for both teams on Saturday afternoon at three. The Bears entertain Westfield State University, while the Lancers travel to Framingham State University.

Notes: The Bears' average margin of victory during their current three-game winning streak is 26 points.