Worcester, MA – The Worcester State College women’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a poor night shooting from the field as they lost to the visiting Bears of Bridgewater State College by the final score of, 62-56, Tuesday night on Senior Day in Lancer gymnasium.  The Lancers, who have clinched a home playoff game next Tuesday, fall to 13-11 (6-5 MASCAC) while Bridgewater State clinched a first round bye and improves to 13-9 (8-2 MASCAC).

Worcester State shot an abysmal 28.6% from the field in the first half netting just 8 field goals.  Worcester Sate was 0-for-8 from three point land in the half.  The visitors were a much more tidy 50% from the field in the half shooting 15-for-30.  The Lancers were led by junior Maureen Lemay (Nashua, NH) who scored 8 points in the half.  Bridgewater State was paced by senior Catie Furtado (Taunton, MA) who scored 9 of Bridgewater State’s first 11 points of the game.  Furtado finished the half with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting.

Jumpers by forward Colleen Feeney (Providence, RI) and Furtado to open the second half pushed the Bears lead to a game-high 15 points before Worcester State began to chip away at the lead.  The Lancers would cut the deficit to just two points with 1:21 remaining but Bridgewater Sate would hit 7-of-8 free throws over the final 1:20 to seal the victory for the visitors.

Worcester State was led by Lemay with a team-high 16 points.  Senior Rachael Odugbela (Providence, RI) added 15 and junior guard Lindsay DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA) chipped in with 10 points.  Furtado finished with a game-high 17 points followed by junior Melissa Murphy (Rockland, MA) with 12 points and 5 assists and Feeney with 10 points.

Worcester State will conclude their regular season schedule on Saturday when they travel to Salem State to take on the Lady Vikings.  Bridgewater State will host the same Salem State squad on Thursday evening in Bridgewater.