BRYN MAWR, Pa. - The Ursinus women's basketball team earned a crucial conference victory, rolling to a 61-44 win over Bryn Mawr College on Wednesday evening.
 
 
The Bears improved to 13-8 on the year with the victory, and 7-4 in conference play. The Owls fall to 5-15 on the year, and 1-9 in the conference action.
 
 
Senior guard Colleen Blackman led the Bears in scoring, with 15 points on three 3-pointers, along with three assists. Senior forward Ava Possenti finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Senior forward Madison Smith added 11 points, three rebounds, and two steals.
 
 
The two teams began the game trading baskets, but Smith's strong, physical play early stood out, scoring five straight points giving the Bears a 12-11 lead with 3:39 left in the first quarter. First-year Anna Chimento helped the Bears end the first quarter on a high note, stepping in for a steal, and then drawing contact on a basket for a 3-point play. The team ended the quarter with a 19-14 lead.
 
 
Ursinus roared out to a strong second quarter, garnering an 14-4 run behind some crafty finishes at the rim by Blackman. Chimento earned a pair of steals, resulting in fast break layups for Ursinus, while four straight points by sophomore Delaney McCaffrey closed out the first half with Ursinus leading, 33-20.
 
 
The Bears picked up where they left off to begin the third quarter, with five straight points by Blackman giving them a 41-25 lead, with 3:42 remaining. After a tip-in by sophomore Ruth O'Keeffe, Blackman connected on another 3-pointer, and Ursinus entered the final stanza leading 48-30. Possenti scored seven of her 12 points to begin the fourth, helping Ursinus stay out in front 55-35 with 6:50 remaining. The Bears stayed in control the rest of the way, sealing the victory.
 
 
Ursinus shot 41.4% from the field (24-of-58), 20% from 3-point range (4-of-20), and 42.9% from the free throw line (9-of-21). Bryn Mawr shot 30.4% from the field (17-of-56), 23.5% from 3- point range (4-of-17), and 66.7% from the free throw line (6-of-9).
 
 
Ursinus will return to action on Saturday, February 7th, for a conference matchup at home against No. 4 Johns Hopkins University. The game will begin at 3:00 P.M.