BSU Women's Basketball Team Improves to 19-3

Michaela Cosby Hits 1,000th Point in BSU Romp

By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass, -- The Bridgewater State University women's basketball team concluded its regular-season home schedule in style on Tuesday night.

Not only did the Bears improve to 19-3 and extend their winning streak to seven games, but tri-captain Michaela Cosby became the 15th player in program history to reach 1,000 points, a feat she accomplished on Senior Night at the Tinsley Center.

BSU had little trouble taking care of Salem State University, 87-55, a win that puts the Bears in a position to clinch the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference championship on Thursday night if they survive a showdown at second-place Worcester State University.

The game was postponed on Saturday afternoon due to the snowstorm.

"It was huge,'' said BSU coach Bridgett Casey of the way her team performed 48 hours before traveling to Worcester State. "It's a very big week for us. Going in, we've got some momentum.''

The Bears (9-1) own a one-game lead over the Lancers (8-2) with two regular-season games to go. Worcester State handed BSU its only conference loss, scoring 51 second-half points to overcome a 17-point deficit for a 76-71 win on Jan. 17.

Cosby sat out most of that game with an ankle injury, which was a factor in the defensive struggles that cost the Bears.

"The game is different when she's not in,'' said Casey. "Hopefully, we can bring our defensive intensity to a smaller gym at Worcester and it pans out for us. It's for first place and the game doesn't get any bigger.''

Cosby led the Bears with 19 points and six rebounds. She reached the 1,000-point mark by hitting a jumper with 5:17 to go in the game.

"She's the heart and soul of the team,'' said Casey. "She's a special, special student-athlete. Each of the four years, she's brought something different.''

There was no looking ahead by BSU against Salem State (10-13, 3-7) as the Bears trailed only once at 6-5 just 2:07 into the game. BSU used an 11-0 run to break a tie and open a 23-12 lead with 11:49 remaining in the first half.

The Bears never let the lead get below double digits over the final 30:02, were in front, 49-28, at halftime and coasted home from there.

Salem State made just 29 percent of its shots (20-for-70) and went 1-for-20 from 3-point range.

BSU had 22 steals, six by Cosby and four by Megan Boutilette, as the Bears' defense smothered the Vikings. The Bears have 335 steals this season, 116 more than their opponents.

"For us, it's all about team defense,'' said Casey, whose Bears received votes in the national Div. 3 poll. "Defense has to be a constant for us, and if it doesn't happen, then it's not going to end well.

"Because we lack in size, we need to make up for it other ways, and one way we do is ball pressure and getting in up the faces of people so that they have to make quick decisions and not let them see the high-low game. It worked again tonight for us.''

Also scoring in double figures for BSU were Elisha Homich (16 points to go with six assists and three steals), Boutilette (13 points, eight rebounds, four assists) and Alana Watkins (11 points).