Women's Basketball Drops Season Opener to Westfield State, 81-78

WENHAM, Mass. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's basketball team mounted a late comeback but fell just short in an 81-78 season-opening loss to Westfield State University (WSU) Friday afternoon during the opening day of the Gordon Classic inside the Bennett Center. Sophomore guard Sequoia Turcotte Briggs (Andover, Conn.) scored a career-high 28 points to pace the USJ offense. With the result, USJ begins the year 0-1 overall, while the Owls move to 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

WSU set the tone early with full-court pressure, forcing several quick turnovers to jump ahead 9-2 in the opening minutes. USJ settled in behind freshman guard Maddy Evans (Hebron, Conn.), who steadied the offense by attacking downhill and earning trips to the free-throw line. Evans converted two free throws late in the quarter, and sophomore guard Nevaeh Yorke (Norwich, Conn.) added a key defensive stop to help the Blue Jays cut the deficit to 21-16 after one.

USJ opened the second quarter with improved ball movement and stronger control on the glass. Junior forward Madeline Greene (Storrs, Conn.) sparked the offense with a putback and a defensive rebound that led to a transition opportunity. The Blue Jays continued generating quality looks in the paint but couldn't fully counter WSU's perimeter shooting, allowing the Owls to maintain a 42-36 lead at halftime.

WSU stretched the margin to double digits early in the third by capitalizing on USJ turnovers, but the Blue Jays responded with one of their strongest defensive stretches of the game. Junior forward Gjamory'a McTier (Palmer, Mass.) jumped a passing lane for a steal, and Yorke pulled in multiple tough rebounds to slow the Owls' momentum. Greene knocked down a short-corner jumper, and Evans followed with a strong drive to bring USJ back within two possessions.

The Blue Jays carried that energy into the fourth. Greene opened the period with an elbow jumper to tie the game at 55, capping a 7-0 run that shifted momentum toward USJ. Turcotte Briggs then took command, attacking gaps in the defense and finishing at the rim. Her layup with just over six minutes remaining kept the Blue Jays within a single basket.

USJ continued to threaten down the stretch. Evans hit another mid-range jumper, and Greene secured a crucial defensive rebound to give the Blue Jays a chance in the closing minute. Despite multiple stops, USJ couldn't convert on the offensive end, and WSU hit key free throws to hold on for the victory, 81-78.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Turcotte Briggs paced USJ with a career-high 28 points on 8-of-18 shooting.
• Sophomore guard Ella Kulas (Cheshire, Conn.) posted a career-best 18 points and added a career- and team-high 13 rebounds for her first career double-double.
• Greene nearly recorded a double-double in her debut, hauling in 13 rebounds while scoring nine points.
• Yorke stuffed the stat sheet with a team-high five steals, nine assists, and eight rebounds.
• USJ outshot WSU, 38.6 percent to 35.4 percent.
• The Blue Jays also won the battle on the boards, 59-55, including 14 offensive rebounds.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays round out the Gordon Classic tomorrow, Saturday, November 15, against nationally ranked No. 3/No. 5 Bowdoin College. Tip-off against the Polar Bears inside the Bennett Center is set for 12:00 p.m.

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