Women's Basketball Falls to Westfield State,

Box Score

WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Sophomore reserve center Erika Hunter (Hadley, MA) led a balanced attack with 14 points as Westfield State College overcome an early 11-point deficit for a 72-53 victory over Bridgewater State in a mid-season showdown between the first and second place teams in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC).

The streaking Owls are now 7-0 in the MASCAC, and won their seventh straight game in boosting their overall record to 16-3. Bridgewater, which saw its six-game winning streak snapped, is 12-7 and 5-2.

Both of Bridgewater's MASCAC losses have been to Westfield, which outscored the Bears, 80-74, on Jan. 10.

In this game, Westfield poured in 72 points despite not making a field goal for a 10-minute stretch of the first half. The Owls jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, then the young and athletic Bears outscored them 15-0 to take a 17-8 lead with 8:24 left in the first half.

The Bears led by as many as 11 points before Hunter came off the bench to spark the Owls. The 6-1 center played the final eight minutes of the first half and scored 13 points. She made all five of her field goal attempts, including three 3-point baskets.

Hunter's third three-ball gave the Owls a 31-29 halftime lead.

In the second half, Westfield's depth and senior leadership took over. The Owls led the entire second half but they only held a 47-45 advantage with 8:21 remaining.

Westfield then went on a 12-2 run for a 59-47 lead at the 4:54 mark. Two three-point baskets by senior guard Katie Sylvain (Hadley, MA) and four free throws from sophomore center Cassy Jouannet (Conway, MA) keyed the spurt.

Despite playing only 24 minutes because of foul trouble, Katie Sylvain finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Senior forward Andrea Wasuk (Lenox, MA) scored 13 points and junior point guard Sarah Boudreau (Tewksbury, MA) played another fine floor game with 10 points and only one turnover.

Lauren Sylvain - a 5-10 senior guard from Hadley - continued her fine play inside with a game-high 11 rebounds and two blocked shots. She also had a game-high eight assists and six points. Jouannet had nine points and seven boards.

The Owls shot 41 percent from the floor, including 8 for 19 from 3-point range, and were 18 for 22 from the foul line. They out-rebounded the scrappy Bridgewater team, 46-37.

Sophomore guard Corey Cuddihy (Scituate, MA) led the Bears with 14 points. Scoring 12 points apiece were freshman Shelly DePina (New Bedford, MA) and freshman Stephanie Houtman (New Bedford, MA).