WORCESTER, Mass. - Westfield State sophomore guard Bella Aitken (Pittsfield, Mass.) scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Owls to a 88-55 win over Worcester State University in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball game at John P. Brissette Court.
With the win, Westfield snaps a 10-game skid, improving to 4-10 overall and 1-1 in the MASCAC. Worcester slips to 8-5, 0-1 in the league.
Aitken finished 9-13 shooting from the floor tonight to lead the way for the Owls.
Westfield spurted away midway through the first quarter. Trailing 8-5, the Owls embarked on a 17-2 run to close the quarter, capped by an Aitken three-pointer. Westfield continued to use the full court press to force Worcester State to turn the ball over, and extended its lead to as many as 24 points in the second quarter, at 40-16. Westfield forced 24 Lancer turnovers in the first half alone, and led 44-20 at the break.
Westfield extended the lead to 75-38 by the end of the third quarter and were able to cruise to the victory in the fourth.
Westfield senior point guard Chelsea Moussette (Southampton, Mass.) played a strong all-around game, with 20 points, five assists and four steals. Freshman guard Lauren Legere (Bedford, Mass.) added 11 points.
The Lancers were led by 14 points from freshman Elizabeth Gallella (Tewksbury, Mass.) and 11 from junior Gigi LeMay (Grafton, Mass.), who both came off the bench for the Lancers. Worcester State's bench outscored its starters 29-26 in the loss.
The Owls forced 37 Lancer turnovers, which Westfield converted into 37 points. Westfield shot 47 percent from the floor and 37 percent (10-27) from three-point range, while Worcester shot 35 percent from the floor and just 1-6 (16 percent) from three point range.
Worcester State will look to rebound on Thursday with a MASCAC matchup against Framingham State, who was idle on Tuesday. Westfield State will travel to Fitchburg State for its next contest.
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Release courtesy of Westfield State University Sports Information.