Women’s Basketball Bested by Bears, 95-86

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Senior Hannah Dziadyk (Wakefield, Mass.) and freshman Kylie Grassi (Plymouth, Mass.) scored 23 points apiece to lead Bridgewater State to a 95-86 women's basketball victory over Westfield State. 

Westfield State women's basketball dropped to 3-1 in conference play with a 95-86 loss to Bridgewater State on Wednesday night at the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass. This loss broke a five-game winning streak for the Owls, and brings them to 7-8 on the season. 

Sophomore forward Jordan Grant (Gray, Maine) was a bright spot for the Owls, scoring a team-high 19 points, and securing the double-double with 10 rebounds. Junior guard Alison Mendel (Adams, Mass.) pitched in 16 points, and Senior guard Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) was the only other Owl to reach double figures, scoring 12 points. 

After trailing for most of the game, Bridgewater State held a two-point lead early in the 4^th. Westfield native Olivia Hadla briefly stole the lead back for the Owls, with a score of 65-64, but this was Westfield's final lead of the night. The Bears ran up a 12-point lead with four minutes remaining, fueled by consecutive 3-pointers from Dziadyk. Despite a late push from Westfield to bring it back within four, Bridgewater sunk nine free-throws in the closing minute to seal the victory. 

Westfield jumped out to 16-point lead in the first quarter, for a score of 28-12. Their intense defense forced seven turnovers, and they made the most of it with 13 of 28 points coming off turnovers. Bridgewater came out strong in the 2^nd quarter with efficient scoring (47.4% from the field) to shrink Westfield's lead to six, 40-34, at the end of the half. 

The 3^rd quarter was a battle, with the lead changing nine different times. Bridgewater State shot 8-10 from the line, and controlled the pace with stifling defense, holding Westfield to 29.4% from the field. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Mendel gave the Owls a 58-57 lead with two minutes to go in the 3^rd. Each team exchanged a pair of made free-throws, resulting in a one-point lead for the Owls heading into the final quarter.  

Both teams had success at the free-throw line in the 4^th with Bridgewater going 18-20, and Westfield shooting 13-16, including Jordan Grant's eight makes.  

Hannah Dziadyk and Kylie Grassi each had a game high 23-points, with Dziadyk sinking five threes, and Grassi knocking down 9-10 free-throws to help seal the win late. Jannise Avelino (Peabody, Mass.) added 16 points, and 15 rebounds for Bridgewater. Sydney Bradbury (East Bridgewater, Mass.) had 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Caroline Tripp (Plymouth, Mass.) chipped in 10 points and 5 assists off the bench.    Brigdewater is now 9-6 overall and 1-1 in the MASCAC.

Westfield State has two days off before hosting Hunter College on Saturday at 4:30 P.M. in the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass. Bridgewater returns home for a matchup against Fitchburg State on the 22^nd. 

 - recap by Nate Moskowitz, Sports Information Intern