WESTFIELD – Westfield State University’s women’s basketball team will be traveling to Nashville, Tenn. during the semester break to participate in the Fourth Annual D3 Basketball tournament, hosted by Trevecca Nazarene University and Cumberland University.
The Owls play Allegheny (Pa.) College at Trevecca Nazarene University on Thursday, December 29 at 4:00 p.m., and 17th-ranked Ohio Northern University at 4:00 p.m. at Cumberland University on Friday December 30.
“It’s great to give our players a chance to see a different part of the country as part of the educational experience,” said Westfield State head coach Andrea Bertini.
“The trip is a nice break from our regular schedule, gives our players a chance to bond in a different way, and the tournament will give us a chance to face two good teams back-to-back which is good preparation for our conference schedule.”
The games will have live stats and live video (pay-per-view) coverage. Links to watch the games are available at WestfieldStateOwls.com. The team raised funds to cover the cost of the trip, including serving as volunteers for Westfield State’s annual Owl Club Golf Tournament fundraiser last August.
Westfield State will bring a 5-5 record into the tournament. The Owls are one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation, ranking fourth with an 87.8 per game average. The Owls have scored 90-plus points in five of their last six contests. Senior guard Jill Valley leads the Owls with 23.8 points per game, and is 11th in the country in individual scoring.
Allegheny enters the Music City Classic with a 2-8 overall record. The Gators play out of the North Coast Athletic Conference, comprised of schools from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana. 5-8 sophomore forward Olivia Barkley leads the Gators with 11.6 and 6.2 rebounds per game.
The Polar Bears of Ohio Northern will be Westfield’s second opponent. ONU is 8-0 this season and moved up to number 17 in the nation in the latest D3Hoops.com national poll. Senior guard Britt Lauck paces the Polar Bears with 15.4 points and 3.7 assists per game. 6-1 junior center Amy Bullimore averages 11 points and nine rebounds per game. The Polar Bears play in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Westfield State returns to action at the Woodward Center on January 4, hosting Fitchburg State University in the first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference game of the year at 7:30 p.m. – Courtesy of Westfield State University Sports
