Ryan Cain recorded his 10th 20-point game of the season while knocking down a season-high four three-pointers while Antoine Coleman (Everett, MA) added 17 points and Ryan Flynn (Hamilton, MA) had 14.
Derek Thompson (Hyannis, MA) scored 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor to lead the Bears. Damian Shakespeare (Waltham, MA) added nine points for the BSC, while Tyler Lang (Franklin, MA) chipped in with game-highs of eight rebounds and four blocks.
WPI took control of the game in the opening four minutes of the second half as they embarked on a 11-5 run straight out of the locker room, punctuated by a two-hand slam dunk by Coleman that put the Engineers ahead 49-35.
By the midway point of the second half, WPI enjoyed a 15-point lead, 60-45, after a dunk by James Marois (Worcester, MA) and a layup by Flynn answered a Bridgewater run that brought the Bears back within 11, 56-45.
A Coleman 3-pointer with 5:10 to play pushed WPI’s lead to 70-53. After a basket by Bridgewater, Ryan Flynn pushed the lead to 18 with his second three-pointer of the game. After another Bridgewater basket, Cain and Brett Dickson (Bedford, NH) each scored on layups as WPI expanded its lead to 77-57 with three minutes to play.
Bridgewater State jumped out to a 12-6 lead in the opening three minutes of action before WPI found its range from beyond the arc and increased its defensive intensity. Four straight three-pointers by Brian Steele (Whitinsville, MA), Ryan Cain, Steele and Coleman gave the Engineers an 18-12 lead seven minutes into the first half. On the evening, the Engineers knocked down 11 of 23 beyond the arc while holding Bridgewater to 4-of-22 from 3-point range.
Bridgewater did not got any closer than three the rest of the half and trailed by as many as nine, 36-27, on senior Steve Furber’s (Easton, MA) jumper with 2:19 to play. Marois’ layup with 51 seconds left in the half gave the hosts an eight-point halftime advantage.
WPI improves to 23-3 on the season and will face Utica, a 71-66 winner over Gordon in the evening’s first game. Bridgewater State, champions of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference, sees its season come to an end with a 17-10 record.
Portions of this story courtesy Kevin O’Malley - Worcester Telegram and Gazette Correspondent
For more information, please contact WPI Sports Information Director Rusty Eggen at 508-831-5328
Newspaper Box Score Bridgewater State vs WPI 3/3/06 8:00pm at Worcester, MA At Worcester, MA WPI 79, BRIDGEWATER STATE 62 BRIDGEWATER STATE (17-10) Derek Thompson 8-11 8-10 24; Damian Shakespeare 3-4 2-4 9; Tom Cuddihy 3-11 0-1 7; Roland Millien 1-1 4-4 6; David Rukstalis 2-4 0-0 5; Tyler Lang 1-7 2-2 4; Kritchney Julien 1-1 0-0 3; Cliff Furtado 1-9 0-0 2; Jesse Teixeira 1-2 0-0 2; Matt Stevens 0-0 0-2 0; Bryan Grozier 0-0 0-0 0; Brandon George 0-0 0-0 0; Adam Rose 0-6 0-0 0; Ryan Devereaux 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-57 16-23 62. WPI (23-3) Ryan Cain 7-13 4-4 22; Antoine Coleman 7-12 0-1 17; Ryan Flynn 5-12 2-2 14; Brian Steele 2-5 2-2 8; James Marois 2-5 2-2 6; Brett Dickson 1-3 2-2 4; Ryan Bourque 1-2 0-0 2; Nathan Griggs 1-1 0-0 2; Sean Ivey 1-1 0-2 2; Steve Furber 1-1 0-0 2; Matthew McCarthy 0-0 0-0 0; Kyle Gustafson 0-0 0-0 0; NT Izuchi 0-2 0-2 0; Adam Lirette 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 28-60 12-17 79. Bridgewater State............. 30 32 - 62 WPI........................... 38 41 - 79 3-point goals-Bridgewater State 4-22 (Tom Cuddihy 1-7; David Rukstalis 1-2; Damian Shakespeare 1-1; Kritchney Julien 1-1; Adam Rose 0-3; Cliff Furtado 0-7; Tyler Lang 0-1), WPI 11-23 (Ryan Cain 4-7; Antoine Coleman 3-4; Brian Steele 2-4; Ryan Flynn 2-4; NT Izuchi 0-1; Brett Dickson 0-1; James Marois 0-2). Fouled out--Bridgewater State-None, WPI-None. Rebounds-Bridgewater State 40 (Tyler Lang 8), WPI 35 (Brian Steele 6). Assists-Bridgewater State 9 (Tom Cuddihy 5), WPI 18 (Brett Dickson 5; Brian Steele 5). Total fouls-Bridgewater State 16, WPI 22. A-1250 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - First Round