Salem State College Athletics

WESTFIELD, MASS. – Junior forward Ashley Finnegan (Worcester) had 22 points and eight rebounds to lead the Westfield State to a 73-68 victory over visiting Salem State in MASCAC women’s basketball Saturday, Jan. 16.

With the big victory Westfield snapped a four-game losing skid. Westfield improves to 7-8 overall and 1-2 in the conference while Salem drops to 8-5 and 1-1 in the conference

Finnegan led the hot shooting Owls by draining 7 of 8 field goal attempts in the first half; she ended the game 11-for-16. Westfield shot a blistering 54 percent from the field, but head coach Andrea Bertini said the No. 1 key to the victory was her team’s effort on the defensive end against a Salem front-court that featured 6-3 freshmen twins Brianna and Whitney Wilson (Lowell) and 5-11 senior center Danielle Jenkins (Marlborough).

Westfield State jumped out to a 21-13 first half lead on a Finnegan layup off a nice pass from freshman guard Briana Kelly (Hampden-Minnechaug), who posted a game-high seven assists along with seven points.

Westfield’s strong start was also aided by Salem’s poor shooting, as the Vikings were 2-for-15 from the field in the opening 10 minutes. Salem State shot just 37 percent from the field for the game.

Westfield State led 32-29 at halftime and came out strong in the second half, building its biggest lead of the game, 47-35, at the 13:37 mark on a 3 pointer by senior guard Krista Corriveau (Plainville, CT).

But Salem fought back and closed within four, 59-55, at the 7:13 mark on two free throws by Jenkins, who finished with a game high 24 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Salem cut the lead to four points twice again, both in the game’s final minute. Westfield made its final field with 5:34 remaining, but junior center Cassy Jouannet (Conway/Frontier Regional) canned six key free throws down the stretch for the Owls.

Despite Salem State’s size advantage, the Owls out-rebounded the Vikings, 39-33. Salem State was only able to generate seven second-chance points.

Jouannet scored 17 points and senior guard Sarah Boudreau (Tewksbury) added 12 points and seven rebounds.

Briana Wilson (Lowell) had a strong game down low for Salem State with 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.