WESTFIELD – The Westfield State University women’s basketball team set a program record for points scored in a single game, and field goals attempted (105) defeating Rivier University, 113-71, in a non-conference game at the Woodward Center Saturday afternoon.
After Rivier jumped out to a 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter, Westfield outscored the Raiders by 52 points in the final three quarters to run away with the win.
Westfield State nailed four three-pointers in the second quarter and junior guards Jill Valley (Orange, Mass.) and Alyssa Darling (Palmer, Mass.) consistently challenged the defense off the dribble as the Owls took a four-point lead into the break. Valley and Darling scored 10 points each in the first half.
In the third quarter, Westfield wore down Rivier with its full-court pressure, outscoring the Raiders 39-10 to build a big lead. The 39 third-quarter points were a school record for points in a quarter, while the 63 second-half points also broke the program record set earlier this season when the two teams met for the first time. Westfield State defeated Rivier, 100-74, in the Fairfield Inn Tournament on November 15.
Westfield State’s Jill Valley drives into the paint vs. Rivier University. (Photo courtesy of Westfield State Sports)
Fourteen different players made at least one field goal for Westfield, while crisp ball-movement and drive-and-kick action led to 25 assists on 44 made field goals. The Owls forced 36 turnovers, many which led to easy transition scoring opportunities.
Valley tallied 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists to lead the Owls, while Darling utilized a strong pull-up jumper to add 16 points.
Freshmen Ece Eldek (12 points) and Allison Hester (11 points) also reached double figures for Westfield, while sophomore center Rebecca Sapouckey (Chicopee, Mass.) had a strong game off the bench with eight points and five rebounds.
Rivier junior guard Caitlyn Perry led all scorers with 25 points, while Kaylee Kacavas chipped in eight points and seven assists. Junior forward Savanna Butterfield scored all 10 of her points in the first half.
With 5:09 left in the game, Westfield State freshman Lucy Barrett (Williamstown, Mass.) caught a lead pass on a fast break from junior Jill Valley and laid it in one motion, netting the Owls 107th point of the afternoon and setting a new program record for points scored in a single game. The previous record was 106 points scored against Rhode Island College in the 1975-76 season.
With the win, Westfield State improves to 4-3, while Rivier drops to 4-4. The Owls return to the hardwood on Tuesday, December 8 when they visit Eastern Connectcut State at 8 p.m. – Courtesy of Westfield State Sports
