Grassi, Gaucher Lead Women's Basketball to 88-63 MASCAC Win Over Worcester State

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore forward Kylie Grassi (Plymouth, Mass.) scored a game-high 26 points and senior forward Sophia Gaucher (Lakeville, Mass.) posted a double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds to lead the Bridgewater State University women's basketball team to an 88-63 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over visiting Worcester State University on Saturday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.

The Bears improve to 17-5 on the season and 8-1 in the MASCAC while the Lancers fall to 8-13 overall and 4-4 in conference play. Bridgewater State has won each of the last four meetings of the two teams including an 83-62 victory earlier this season in Worcester. The Bears also hold a 59-41 advantage in the all-time series.

Grassi connected on 9 of 15 field goal attempts, including 2-for-4 form behind the arc, and went 6-for-8 at the free throw line. She also recorded five rebounds (two offensive), two assists, four steals and a blocked shot.

Gaucher was 5-for-7 from the floor, 3-for-5 from three-point range and 2-for-2 at the stripe. She added five assists and a steal. The double-double marked Gaucher's second of the season.

All five BSU starters scored in double figures. Senior guard Kylee Piche (Bridgewater, Mass.) checked in with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, while senior guard Sydney Bradbury (East Bridgewater, Mass.) notched 13 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal, and sophomore forward Arielle Cleveland (Groveland, Mass.) contributed then points and five boards. The Bears also received five points and a career-best ten rebounds (four offensive) from sophomore forward Jordan Peebles (Middleboro, Mass.).

Senior guard Erin Gallella (Tewksbury, Mass.) paced Worcester State with 13 points, three rebounds and a game-best seven assists and five steals. Junior guard Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro, Mass.) added 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Lancers, while junior guard Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, Mass.) registered 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and senior guard Elizabeth Gallella (Tewksbury, Mass.) recorded 11 points, four rebounds and five assists.

The Bears, who led from start to finish, held the Lancers to just one free throw over the first 5 ½ minutes of the first quarter. Piche, Cleveland, Grassi and Bradbury tallied four points apiece during the game-opening 16-1 run. Trailing 19-3, Worcester used a 11-3 spurt, highlighted by six points from Thomas, to cut the deficit to eight (22-14) with 1:45 remaining in the opening period. A traditional three-point play by Peebles and a jumper by Grassi to close out the session pushed the BSU advantage up to 13 (27-14). The Bears would maintain the double-digit advantage the rest of the way.

Bridgewater got up by as many as 23 points (43-20) in the second quarter and took a 43-24 lead into the break.

Grassi led all players with 13 first-half points.

The Lancers closed to within 11 points on three separate occasions in the third quarter including a 48-37 deficit following an Elizabeth Gallella jumper with 6:29 remaining in the period. The Bears responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Bradbury and Gaucher followed by a Gaucher layup to quickly push the lead up to 19 points (56-37) midway through the quarter. Worcester would get no closer than 16 the rest of the way.

Bridgewater got up by as many as 28 points (88-60) in the fourth quarter.

The Bears shot 50.7% (34-67) for the game, 42.1% (8-19) from behind the arc and 80% (12-15) at the free throw line. The Lancers connected on 42.4% (25-59) of their field goal attempts including 8-for-21 (381%) from three-point range. Worcester struggled at the stripe converting just 5 of 14 (35.7%) free throw attempts.

Bridgewater finished with a 43-30 rebounding advantage with a 10-5 differential on the offensive glass. The Bears outscored the Lancers, 38-20, in the paint.

The Bears are off until next Saturday afternoon when they travel to Westfield State University for a two o'clock MASCAC game with the Owls. The Lancers travel to Westfield State on Wednesday night to take on the Owls at 7:30.