Junior guard Melissa Murphy (Rockland, MA) added 22 points for the Bears who improved to 6-6 overall and 1-0 in the MASCAC.
Bridgewater State jumped out to a 21-3 lead seven minutes into the game, but saw that lead quickly evaporate as Westfield responded with a 20-5 run to pull to within three points (26-23). Bridgewater was able to close out the half however by scoring seven of the final eight points of the half to take a 33-24 lead into the locker room.
BSC took the momentum into the second stanza as the Bears built a 22-point lead (52-30) over the first 8 ½ minutes of the half. Once again Westfield responded, only this time with a 22-4 run to cut the deficit to four points (56-52) with 5:40 remaining in the game. That would be as close as the Owls would get however as the Bears would close out the game on a 14-4 run.
Bridgewater shot 39% from the floor (27-for-69), but also limited the Owls to just 30% shooting (20-for-67). BSC also held a slight advantage on the boards with 18 of their 52 rebounds coming off the offensive glass.
Junior guards Caitlin Feeney (Providence, RI), Erica Murphy (Weymouth, MA) and Justine Farroba (N. Attleboro, MA) also played well for the Bears. Feeney finished with 6 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Murphy added 9 points and 9 boards, while Farroba chipped in with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
Westfield junior guard Betty Dely (Waltham, MA) led the way for the Owls (5-6, 0-1 MASCAC) as she scored 17 points to go along with 4 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 steals. Sophomore forward Andrea Wasuk (Lenox, MA) added 10 points, while freshman guard Sarah Boudreau (Tewksbury, MA) finished with 6 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 steals.
Bridgewater will be back in action on Saturday afternoon as the Bears head to Framingham State for a 1 o’clock game with the Rams. Westfield heads to Keene State College on Thursday night. Tip-off is slated for 5:30.