Worcester, MA --- Westfield State freshman Gabby Felix (Springfield, MA) led all players with16 points and gathered six rebounds as she helped the Owls defeat Worcester State, 56-54, in MASCAC women's basketball action this evening at Lancer Gymnasium. 

With the triumph the Owls improve to 8-7 overall while the Lancers slip to 6-7.  Both teams are now even in MASCAC play with identical 1-1 records.

The Blue and Gold started the game strong taking the early 5-0 lead at the 18:36 mark of the first half after a three-point shot by junior Kara Rogers (Lowell, MA).  The Owls slowly got back into the game as they went on a 10-5 run to tie the game at 10-10 midway through the half.

Over the next six minutes the game went back-and-forth as there were seven lead changes and two tied scores as Westfield State emerged with the 22-21 lead with 4:08 left. The visitors would then close out the half with a 12-3 spurt. Felix scored six of her points during the run to help give the Owls the 32-24 lead at intermission. 

Westfield State would lead 38-28 in the opening minutes of the second stanza and continued to lead 52-44 with one minute remaining in the contest. Worcester State whittled the lead down to two points in a wild chain of events.

With 12 seconds remaining the Owls were on top 56-49, but senior Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, MA) tallied the final five points to close the game – including a buzzer-beater jump shot from the baseline to end the contest at 56-54. 

Strong free-throw shooting by the visitors proved to be the difference in the final 90 seconds as they finished the game converting all eight attempts from the charity stripe.

The Lancers were paced by Charette who had her fourth double-double of the season as she scored 13 of her 14 points in the second half and collected 10 rebounds. Freshman Cheyenne Jennings (Worcester, MA/Wachusett) added 15 points, grabbed six boards and went three-for-five from beyond the arc. 

First-year Shannen El-Qasem (Rutland, MA) chipped in nine points and added five caroms.    

Westfield State senior Janae Jones (Springfield, MA) contributed with 12 points and four assists while junior Courtney Kegresse (Adams, MA) scored 11 points including a trio of three pointers.    

Both squads connected for modest totals from the floor as the Lancers went 19-for-54 (35 percent) and the Owls hit 35 percent of their shots (16-for-46).

Overall, neither team shot well from the free throw line as the Blue and Gold finished with a 65 percent clip (11-for-17) and the visitors were 19-for-30 (63 percent).

Westfield State forced the Lancers into 24 miscues – 14 by way of steal – as the hosts minimized the damage by allowing a 21-17 final margin in points off of turnovers.

Both teams scored 18 points in the paint while the Owls led in fast break points (12-9), but it was Worcester State who held the edge in second chance points (10-6). Worcester State also led in points off of the bench (19-7). 

With her fine performance in tonight's second half, Charette is now just 17 points away from the 1,000 point milestone.

The Lancers will host "Math Madness" day on Thursday as they take on non-conference opponent Keene State for a 12 PM tilt. The Owls continue MASCAC play as they travel to Bridgewater State on Saturday for a 1 o'clock affair. 

Release by Jim Sarkisian – Sports Information Assistant