Bridgewater State Pulls Away in Second Half, Defeats Salem State 56-41

SALEM, Mass. – Kailyn Aguiar (Acushnet, Mass.) led four Bridgewater State players in double figures with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds as Bridgewater State secured a 56-41 victory over Salem State in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on Wednesday evening. The Bears even their record at 11-11 on the year and improve to 6-3 in conference. The Vikings slip to 3-7 and 5-17 overall.

Before the game, Salem State observed a moment of silence, dedicated to honoring all family members who have been affected by breast cancer as part of Salem State's "Think Pink" night.

Olivia DelGrosso (Ledyard, Conn.) scored six first quarter points as Bridgewater State built a 15-8 advantage after one period. Trailing 17-8 in the second, Salem State drew to within three points following a pair of baskets by Tyra Scott (Methuen, Mass.) and a layup by Mia Crawley (Hyannis, Mass.).

Both teams then went scoreless for nearly three minutes before a layup by Aguiar, who had six points in the quarter, put the Bears ahead 19-14 at the 5:40 mark. Bridgewater State closed the half with an 11-6 spurt as Aguiar and Kayla Carter (Beverly, Mass.) combined for six points, giving the Bears a 10-point halftime lead at 30-20.

Aguiar had 11 first half points on 5-8 (62.5%) shooting while Carter added seven. Natalie Mellinger (Beverly, Mass.) and Scott each led Salem State with seven first-half points apiece.

Both teams struggled to find and offensive flow in the third quarter as Salem State connected on just 5-15 (33.3%) shots while Bridgewater State went 4-14 (28.6%) from the floor. Seven points by Scott in the third helped the Vikings cut into the deficit and after a basket by Kia Fernandes (Wareham, Mass.), Salem State was behind by just five points, 37-32 with 2:16 left. However, the Vikings could not draw any closer, exiting the quarter trailing 40-33.

The Bears managed to maintain a comfortable lead in the fourth, answering every Salem State score with one of their own. Sara DaSilva (Chelmsford, Mass.), poured in seven of her 10 points in the final quarter, including a layup with 5:17 remaining that put Bridgewater State up 51-39. The Bears built the lead to as many as 15 points twice in the final frame, as DaSilva closed the scoring with two free throws, making the final 56-41.

Carter had 12 points, five rebounds and three steals while DelGrosso finished with 10 points for Bridgewater State, which ended the game 24-57 (42.1%) from the field.

Scott, who has scored in double digits in ten of the past eleven games, led the Vikings with 16 points. Fernandes added eight points and five rebounds while Irianis Delgado (Lynn, Mass.) had seven rebounds and two blocks in limited action for Salem State.