Westfield, Mass. – The Westfield State women's basketball team was defeated by Western New England, 76-65, in the consolation game of the LaFrance Hospitality Tournament at UMass Dartmouth.
The Owls kept it close in the first half of the game, as the Owls trailed by one point after one quarter and then tied the game heading into halftime. The difference in the contest was the third quarter, in which the Golden Bears outscored the Owls 24-10. Westfield State did win the fourth quarter scoring margin (22-19) but were not able to overcome a double-digit deficit.
Owls senior Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) had a game-high 21 points and six steals. Senior Paris Wilkey (Lynn, Mass.) was the only other Owls player to reach double-figures, adding 12 points on an efficient four of seven shooting from the field. Gray was also named to the LaFrance All-Tournament team as she averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 steals in the two games.
Westfield State was able to disrupt the flow of the offense for Western New England, generating 35 Golden Bear turnovers to the Owls 18. However, the Owls struggled from the field, shooting 29.3% from the floor and 23.1% from beyond the arc. Western New England shot 45.8% from the field and 26.3% from three-point range. The Golden Bears controlled the glass, out-rebounding the Owls 48-28.
Westfield State (0-5) will look to get into the win column as the Owls enter a three-game home stand starting on Tuesday, November 30th as they host New England College at 5:30 P.M. from the Woodward Center.