Westfield, Mass. – The Westfield State University women's basketball team picked up their second victory of the season in an 84-63 win over Mitchell College (4-3) on a Saturday afternoon from the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass.
The Owls fell behind by double-digits in the first quarter until the defensive intensity picked up, starting with a pair of steals and lay-ups by senior guard Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) and first-year point guard Lila Labrie (Southampton, Mass.) to cut the deficit to four after one quarter.
In quarter number two, the Owls held the Mariners to just eight points by forcing 11 turnovers and holding Mitchell to 17% shooting from the floor to put Westfield up eight heading into the break.
After a closely contested third quarter, the Owls dominated the fourth quarter, beginning with a 14-2 run, to outscore the Mariners 30-14. Gray poured in ten of her 17 points in frame, which ballooned the lead to 21 points late in the game. She also contributed eight rebounds and five assists for the game. Labrie added 12 points, while senior forward Paris Wilkey (Lynn, Mass.) was the third Owl player to finish in double-figure scoring with 10. Senior Jenn Rennich (Bedford, Mass.) disrupted the offensive flow of the Mariners, forcing a team-high six steals.
Mitchell forward Amina Wiley (New Rochelle, N.Y.) finished with a game-high 23 points. Junior Dede Stevenson (Hartford, Conn.) compiled 14 points, six assists and five rebounds while burying four of eight triples.
Westfield State feasted off of turnovers as the Owls forced 43 turnovers and doubled the Mariners in points off turnovers (36-18). The Owls also converted frequently on the fast break, out-pacing Mitchell 33-12. Both teams had relatively similar shooting numbers as each team shot 39% from the floor. The Mariners connected on six of 23 threes (26.1%) while the Owls made nine of 39 triples (23.1%).
Westfield State (2-6) will return to action next week in a road match-up against NESCAC opponent Connecticut College on Tuesday at 7:00 P.M.
