WESTFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore center Rebecca Sapouckey (Chicopee, Mass.) scored a career-high 21 points to go along with nine rebounds, leading the Westfield State (12-6, 5-1 MASCAC) women's basketball team past MASCAC rival Worcester State (5-3, 2-4 MASCAC), 97-77, Wednesday evening at the Woodward Center.
With Westfield State's leading-scorer Jill Valley saddled with foul trouble, it was the Owls' second unit—Sapouckey, Ashley Giampetruzzi, Kirsy Segarra, Ece Eldek, Kierra McCarthy—that led the charge most of the night.
After a sloppy first quarter by both teams, Westfield State outscored Worcester State 28-10 in the second quarter to take a 45-24 lead into the break. The Owls forced 15 turnovers in the second period and sunk six-three pointers, building a double-digit cushion they would maintain for the rest of the game.
Westfield State's full court trap forced Worcester into 40 turnovers, and the Owls converted those turnovers into 40 points. Segarra spear-headed the Westfield defensive attack, leading the Owls with four steals to go along with 18 points and three assists.
The Owls also controlled the paint, grabbing 25 offensive rebounds and outscoring the Lancers, 53-38, in the paint. Along with Sapouckey, senior center Forbasaw Nkamebo (Amherst, Mass.) excelled on the interior, tallying 15 points and seven rebounds (five offensive) in 18 minutes of play.
The Lancers were led by freshman center Britt Herring (23 points, 11 rebounds) and freshman forward Kaitlyn Berkel (21 points, 12 rebounds), both of whom recorded double-double figures. Kate Suprenant (Pelham, NH) netted 14 points, while senior guard Natasha Gonzalez (Milford, Mass.) led the team with five assists.
Despite the loss, Worcester State shot 54 percent from the field on the night, topping the Owls who shot 41.1 percent from the field. Worcester State also had an advantage in free throw percentage, going 74.2 percent from the line. Gonzalez, Surprenant, and Brianna Hackett (Hollis, NH) each went a perfect 4-for-4 from the line, chipping in 12 points for the Lancers.
Westfield State looks to keep up its winning ways on Saturday, January 30, when the Owls host Fitchburg State at the Woodward Center at 1 p.m. Worcester State will try to bounce back at MCLA on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Release Courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information