FITCHBURG, Mass. - The Worcester State Lancers (5-11, 2-2 MASCAC) fell 65- 50 against conference rival, Bridgewater State (6-9, 3-1 MASCAC) at the Recreation Center on the campus of Fitchburg State University as Jennie Lindland (Edgartown, Mass.) led the way for Bridgewater with 15 points and seven steals.
The Bears pressed for the entire length of the game and forced 26 Lancer turnovers, at what seemed, the most important moments in the game.
Brianna Hackett (Hollis, N.H.) led the Lancers and was a shining spot for them in the loss. Hackett scored 14 points and had five rebounds. The Lancers did have some impressive defensive numbers as Kaitlyn Berkel (Waterford, Conn.) and Britt Herring (W. Brookfield, Mass.) registered a game-high nine rebounds and eight rebounds, respectively, while Herring added in five blocks.
After the first quarter Bridgewater held a 15-13 lead but soon grew on that in the second quarter. Bridgewater expanded that lead with a dominating 19-point quarter. The offensive outburst was fueled by a 10 point run for the visiting Bears. The run was started by two straight 3-pointers from Chelsea Saucier (Portland, Maine). The Lancers followed that run up with a small run of their own to end the half to bring some momentum into the locker room even with the 39 to 23 deficit.
To start the third quarter the Lancers got off to a slow start and let the Bears score eight straight points to give the Bears their largest lead of the game at 46-25. Worcester State came back with fury as they ended the third quarter on a 13-2 run and seemed to have all the momentum going into the final quarter. The Lancers owned the final four minutes of the third quarter as the Bears only tallied two points.
Bridgewater State extended their lead to start the fourth quarter with a layup by Rhiana Page (Brookline, Mass.) and a jumper from Christine Curran (Ayer, Mass.). The Lancers kept fighting as they scored seven straight points. After a free throw by Lindland, Herring scored on a layup and pulled into an eight-point deficit. From there it was all Bears again as they answered with six more points and pulled away to win 65-50.
Bridgewater State shot 41% (25-61) for the game and held a decided 29-7 advantage in points off turnovers. The Bears also held the clear edge in points in the paint (36-26) and bench points (23-6).
The Lancers next play in a MASCAC matchup with the Rams of Framingham State on the campus of WPI. Tip off is at 1:00 on Saturday, January 23rd.
Portions of this Release Courtesy of Bridgewater State University Sports Information