Worcester, MA- On Wednesday evening the Worcester State Women's Basketball team was back in action to take on Bridgewater State in their home MASCAC contest opener. The Lancers were defeated by the Bears 83-62.

Early in the game, Bridgewater State pushed the ball in transition to take a 4-0 lead forty seconds into the contest. Worcester State responded with a 9-2 run of their own, starting with a challenging three-point field goal by senior Elizabeth Gallella (Tewksbury, Mass.). The Bears were able to go on a 10- 0 run that saw them obtain a 16-9 lead with a little over four minutes remaining in the first quarter. Unfortunately for Worcester State, they had a 13-point deficit to make up as the game headed to the second quarter. As the second quarter began, the Bears increased their lead to 19 at 33-14. Junior Nya Thomas (Attleboro, Mass.) was crucial to Worcester State, cutting the Bridgewater State lead to 14 with a little under four minutes remaining in the first half. The Bears responded by taking a 45-25 lead heading into halftime.

When the third quarter began, Bridgewater State tried to use its speed and athleticism to maintain the twenty-point lead. Worcester State attempted to claw their way back in the game by obtaining defensive stops, but could not execute on the offensive end as the Lancers trailed by 17 points with a little under five minutes remaining in the quarter. At the end of the third quarter, Bridgewater State held a 22-point lead over Worcester State. In the fourth quarter, Bridgewater State continued to outplay Worcester State as the Bears came away with an 83-62 victory.

Worcester State (4-11, 0-2) is back in action on January 14 when they remain home to take on Westfield State in another MASCAC matchup with tip-off at 2:00. Bridgewater State (12--4, 3-0) will be back on the court January 18 when they return home to compete against Westfield State with tip-off at 7:30.