Bears Stun Badgers 81-42 in Tournament Opener

Bears Stun Badgers 81-42 in Tournament Opener
  Senior forward Megan Boutilette tallied a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds to lead the Bridgewater State University women's basketball team to a convincing 81-42 victory over visiting Johnson State College in the semifinal round of the 2013 BSU Tip-Off Classic on Friday evening at the Tinsley Center.
 
With the win, the Bears (1-1) advance to the tournament championship game on Saturday at 3:00 PM.  The Badgers (0-2) will compete in the consolation game at 1:00 PM.
Boutilette shot 10-for-13 from the floor and added three assists, a block and a pair of steals. Four of her eight rebounds came off the offensive glass.
Senior guard Elisha Homich chipped in with 13 points, seven assists, seven steals and three boards, while senior guard Jenna Williamson added 14 points and four steals.
The Bears dominated from start to finish leading by 27 points (44-17) at the intermission and getting up by as many as 41 points (81-40) in the second half.
Bridgwater held a 46-16 advantage in points in the paint, a 36-15 edge in points off turnovers and a 14-4 advantage in second chance points.
The Bears shot 48% (34-71) from the floor and outrebounded the Badgers by a margin of 45-33 with 19 rebounds coming off the offensive board.  The Bears assisted on 26 of their 34 made field goals and forced 32 Johnson State turnovers thanks in large part to 24 steals.
Eight BSU reserves combined for 20 points, 18 rebounds, ten assists and ten steals led by junior guard Melissa Daigle with seven points and three steals as well as freshman guard Chelsea Saucier with five assists and four rebounds.
Junior guard Eliannie Sola paced the visiting Badgers with a team-high 11 points.
 
Saturday's Schedule
Consolation Game (1:00 PM): Johnson State vs. Rivier
Championship Game (3:00 PM): Hunter vs. Bridgewater State
(Release courtesey of Bridgewater State Sports Information Office)