Thomas Leads Women's Basketball to 73-55 MASCAC Win Over MCLA

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Junior guard Kayla Thomas (North Falmouth, Mass.) scored a career-high 20 points to lead the visiting Bridgewater State University women's basketball team to a 73-55 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over MCLA on Saturday afternoon at the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium. The game marked the regular season finale for both teams.

The Bears, who were playing without leading scorer Kylie Grassi (Plymouth, Mass.), improve to 19-7 on the season and 10-2 in the MASCAC. Bridgewater claimed its first MASCAC regular season crown since 2014 and first outright title since 2013. The Bears are the top seed in next week's MASCAC Tournament and will have a first round bye. Bridgewater will host a semifinal round game next Thursday night at 7:30.

The Trailblazers fall to 4-20 overall and 1-11 in conference play. The Trailblazers are the #6 seed in the MASCAC Tournament and will travel to Westfield State University on Tuesday night (7:30) for a first-round matchup with the third-seeded Owls.

Thomas knocked down a career-best six three-pointer (6-for-11) in 28 minutes off the bench. She also added three rebounds, an assist and a steal. Fourteen of Thomas' 20 points came in the second half.

BSU senior forward Sophia Gaucher (Lakeville, Mass.) posted a double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds (seven offensive) to go along with four assists and three steals. The Bears also received 12 points, three steals, a blocked shot and a game-best five assists from senior guard Kylee Piche (Bridgewater, Mass.) as well as ten points, four assists and a pair of steals from senior guard Sydney Bradbury (East Bridgewater, Mass.). Sophomore forward Arielle Cleveland (Groveland, Mass.) checked in with nine points, eight rebounds (four offensive) and two steals.

Senior guard Olivia Pressley (Cobleskill, N.Y.) paced MCLA with 16 points, three rebound, three assists and four steals. Freshman forward Hailey Peabody (West Springfield, Mass.) recorded a double-double for the Trailblazers with 14 points and ten boards, while senior guard Maddie Teta (Troy, N.Y.) and freshman forward Kristie Tator (Windham, Conn.) tallied 12 points apiece.

The Bears led 31-19 at the break following a low-scoring second quarter. Piche led all player with ten first-half points. Bridgewater got up by as many as 21 points (59-38) in a fairly evenly played second half while MCLA would get no closer than 12.

Bridgewater shot 41.4% (29-70) for the game, including 8-for-21 (38.1%) from behind the arc. MCLA connected on 21 of 47 (44.7%) field goals attempts and went 8-for-14 (57.1%) from three-point range. The Trailblazers turned the ball over 30 times which led to a 30-9 BSU advantage in point off turnovers. The Bears also finished with the edge in second chance points (16-8) and points in the paint (26-14). Bridgewater outrebound MCLA on the offensive glass, 16-6.