Women's Basketball Advances in MASCAC Tournament, 101-54 Over Fitchburg

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Jordan Grant (Gray, ME) and Alison Mendel (Adams, Mass.) combined for 31 points as third-seeded Westfield State delivered a massive 101-54 win over seventh seed Fitchburg State in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Quarterfinals, on Tuesday evening at the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass. 

With this victory, the Owls (15-11) advance to the MASCAC Semifinals to face the number two seed Bridgewater Bears. Fitchburg State sets their sights on next season, after finishing the year 2-21. 

Four players reached double digits for the Owls. Grant led the way with 16 points and nine rebounds, and Mendel was right behind with 15 points, shooting 6-12 from the field. Jordyn Lummus (Pittsfield, Mass.) had an impactful 13 points to go with seven assists. Paris Wilkey (Lynn, Mass.) was the last Owl to crack double figures, as she scored 11 points with a pair of threes. 

Westfield put this game away quickly, holding a 30-8 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Fitchburg fought back with a strong second quarter of their own, but they were ultimately unable to close the gap. The Falcons struggled to hold on to the ball, turning it over 45 times, and Westfield managed to score 44 points directly off their turnovers.  

Behind nine points from Lummus, the Owls went on both a 13-0 and a 10-0 run to grab a 22-point first quarter lead. Fitchburg put together a strong second quarter, with efficient shooting and strong efforts from Olivia Almeida (Wilmington, Mass.) and Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass.), combining for 15 of the teams 24 points in the frame. The Owls got to work down low, scoring 20 of their 28 points in the paint to maintain a 58-32 lead at halftime. 

Westfield did just enough to extend their lead in the third. Neither team shot the ball particularly well, with both teams shooting below 30%, but the Owls managed to outscore the falcons 16-11 heading into the final quarter. The fourth quarter was a different story, Westfield poured in 27 points to Fitchburg's 11, and held the Falcons to 22% from the field on the way to a 101-54 final. 

Fitchburg also had four players scoring double figures. Jadelen Harold recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Olivia Almeida added 11 points and sank two triples. Ephemian Bailey (Maple Grove, Minn) chipped in 10 points with four rejections, and Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) had 10 points as well, with five rebounds and four assists. 

Westfield travels to #2 seed Bridgewater State, a 79-40 winner over #7 MCLA today,  on Thursday, February 24 for a 6 :00 p.m. tip off in the MASCAC Semifinals, with a chance to punch their ticket to Saturday's championship game. 

-written by Nate Moskowitz, sports information intern