Strong Fourth Quarter Sends Women's Basketball to MASCAC Title Game

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's basketball advanced to the MASCAC Tournament championship game for the fifth straight season as the top-seeded Bears used a strong fourth quarter to post an 86-61 semifinal round victory over #6 Anna Maria College on Friday evening at the Tinsley Center.

The Bears (16-10) outscored the AMCATS 35-12 in the final period to turn a one-possesion game into a 25-point win. The 35 points marked the highest single-period scoring output this season surpassing a 34-point first quarter effort n a 75-63 win over Westfield State on Valentine's Day.

Bridgewater will take on #2 seeded Framingham State University in the MASCAC championship game on Sunday at noon. Framingham edged #4 Salem State University in the other semifinal matchup, 60-56.

Anna Maria ends the season with an overall record of 11-15.

Freshman Savannah Azoff (Sandwich, Mass.) paced the Bears with 17 points in 22 minutes off the bench including nine in the fourth quarter. Azoff connected on 6 of 10 field goals, 3-for-6 from behind the arc, and added six rebounds, two assists and two steals. The 17 points equaled her season high.

Bridgewater also received 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals from senior Hailey Burchhardt (Schenectady, N.Y.), and 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a blocked shot from junior Sophie Bradbury (East Bridgewater, Mass.).

Freshman Emilie von der Linden (Sanbornville, N.H.) and sophomore Reese Bartlett (Norwood, Mass.) also finished in double figure scoring for the Bears. von der Linden contributed 11 points, nine rebounds (four offensive) and four blocks while Bartlett, who went 9-for-10 at the free throw line, checked in with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.

Senior Arianna Saladini (Fitchburg, Mass.) led the way for Anna Maria with 14 points, seven rebounds (five offensive), an assist, two steals and two blocks. Junior Arianna Gonzalez (Worcester, Mass.) added 12 points, two rebounds, four assists and three steals for the AMCATS while junior Tiffany Salazar (Webster, Mass.) registered 11 points, five rebounds, one assist and four steals.

The game was tightly contested for three quarters. Clinging to a 56-53 lead early in the final period, the Bears outscored the AMCATS 30-8 over the final eight minutes to pull away for the win. Three-pointers by Azoff and Bradbury sparked the game-ending run.

Bridgewater shot 52.4% (11-21) in the fourth quarter and went 11-for-15 at the free throw line with four free throws coming off back-to-back technical foul calls. The Bears outrebounds the AMCATS 13-6 over the final ten minutes with seven of the 13 rebounds coming off the offensive glass.

The Bears made a season-high 40 trips to the free throw line (28-for-40) for the game as the AMCATS where whistled for 30 fouls. Anna Maria went 10-for-15 at the line.

The two teams combined for 41 offensive rebounds with the AMCATS holding a slight 15-14 edge in second chance points.

Bridgewater's defense forced 22 AMC turnovers as the Bears held a 28-15 advantage in points off turnovers.

Notes: Bridgewater is 5-7 all-time versus Framingham in MASCAC Tournament play (5-1 at home) including a 76-65 victory a year ago in the conference title game. Prior to last year, the Rams had won each of the previous five matchups (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024)....The two teams have met four times in the conference title game with the home team winning each time. Bridgewater earned a 73-66 win in 2014 to go along with last year's triumph. Framingham posted an 84-69 victory in 2022 as well as a 72-64 win in 2024....Bridgewater has won 21 straight MASCAC Tournament games at home dating back to the 2010-2011 season.