Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Bridgewater State University senior Megan Boutilette (Charlton, Mass.) sank a layup with 29 seconds remaining in regulation to give the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth women's basketball team its first loss of the 2014-15 season, 57-56.
In the final minute of play, junior Colleen Kane (Arlington, Mass.) converted one of two free throws to give the Corsairs (5-1) a one point advantage, 56-55. Following a Bear's timeout, the visitors created an opportunity for freshman Rhiana Page (Brookline, Mass.), but her attempt caromed off the rim and into the hands of Melissa Daigle (Rockland, Mass.), who was then fouled. With 31 seconds remaining, another look by Page bounced off the rim and was secured by a Bridgewater State player. Boutilette secured the offensive rebound and put home the go-ahead bucket.
On the proceeding possession, UMass Dartmouth worked the clock down to the final seconds of the regulation, however was unable to generate a clean look and turned the ball over with one-second on the clock.
For the Corsairs, junior Beth Castantini (Newburyport, Mass.) registered a game-high 14 points to go with five rebounds and a pair of steals. Senior Kelsey Garrity (Somerville, Mass.) delivered a well-rounded performance with seven points, seven helpers, five boards and four steals. Sophomore Megan Ronaghan (N. Attleboro, Mass.) poured in eight points on 4-of-8 shooting and reeled in seven rebounds, while senior Erin Fahey (Salem, Mass.) recorded 10 points and six caroms.
Junior Vanesa Concelcao (New Bedford, Mass.) had a double-double with 11 points on 5-of-11 from the floor and 10 rebounds for Bridgewater State. Sophomore Jennie Lindland (Edgartown, Mass.) added 10 points, three steals and two blocks, while Boutilette contributed ten points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench.
To open the contest, Castantini scored five of UMass Dartmouth's first eight points to give the Corsairs a, 8-2, lead. The Bears utilized an 11-4 run over the next three minutes to take their first lead of the game. Facing a 17-16 deficit, a Fahey jumper sparked an 8-0 run, which was capped by a 3-pointer from teammate Bri Hochwarter (Attleboro, Mass.) at the seven minute, 24 second mark. The Bears came roaring back with an 11-2 run of their own to retake the lead (30-28) with 14:29 left in the first. The Corsairs closed out the half with three-ball from Castantini and a jumper from Kane to take a 33-31 advantage into intermission.
Bridgewater State (5-1) scored the majority of its first half points from the charity stripe, sinking 10-of-12 from the line. The Corsairs took advantage of second-chance opportunities as they grabbed nine offensive rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.
In the second half, Bridgewater State took control of the game at the 16 minute, 19 second mark following a made layup by sophomore Chanelle Melton (Brockton, Mass.) and maintained command for the next 13 minutes of play.
With the game knotted at 51-all, each team exchange baskets until the final minute of regulation. The Bears dominated the paint, outscoring UMass Dartmouth 37-22, while the Corsairs held a slight advantage in assists (12-10) and points off of turnovers (18-16).
UMass Dartmouth returns to action at 4 pm on Thursday, Dec. 4, when the Corsairs host non-conference opponent Worcester State. Bridgewater State will host Amherst on Saturday at 2 pm.
