Women’s Basketball Set to Host Westfield Gas & Electric Tip-Off Tournament

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University women's basketball is set to host the 2025 Westfield Gas & Electric Tip-Off Tournament on Friday and Saturday from the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass. The Owls will face Utica University on Friday at 5:30 P.M. in the first game with Mitchell College taking on Albright (Pa.) in the second game at 7:30 P.M.

The winners of both games will advance into the championship game on Saturday at 2:00 P.M. while the losers will play in the consolation game at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday.

Westfield State (2-1): The Owls enter the tournament after securing a pair of victories at the Gordon Classic to begin the season: An 81-78 win over Saint Joseph (Conn.) in the season opener then a 95-78 victory against Gordon the day after. Westfield lost their first game of the season in their most recent game, a 72-61 loss to Lasell.

Sophomore guard Grace Wigington (Lenox, Mass.) has made a strong early impression in her first season with the Owls, averaging 20 points per game thus far including a 33-point barrage against Gordon. She was named the MASCAC Player of the Week for her efforts. Sophomore forward Alexa Davis (Springfield, Mass.) is also averaging in double figures at 11.7 while hauling in 4.7 rebounds per game. Senior captain Tavi Williams (Springfield, Mass.) has stuffed the stat sheet in her three games, grabbing 12.7 rebounds to go along with 5.0 steals and 8.0 points.

The Owls played Utica in the 2024 Westfield Gas & Electric Tournament where Westfield won 78-70. Westfield advanced into the championship game where they would fall to St. Lawrence, 70-64.

Utica University (1-2): The Pioneers come into the tournament having recently participated in the Plattsburgh State Tournament where they went 1-1: a double overtime win against SUNY Potsdam and a loss to Plattsburgh State.

The Pioneers are led by forward Vanessa Hall who's averaged 19.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Hall was an imposing force against the Owls in last year's tournament, recording 32 points and ten rebounds. McKenzie Simmons also returns for Utica as their second leading scorer, registering 22 points and 13 boards versus the Owls a season ago.

Albright College (0-3): The Lions navigated through a challenging non-conference schedule early in the season and will be playing their first game in a week after a 77-64 loss to Moravian last Friday. Chrisdin Jones is the Lions' leading scorer, collecting 20.7 points per contest while shooting 51.2 percent from the floor. The Owls also faced Albright last year, traveling to Reading, Pa. for an 89-74 setback.

Mitchell College (1-3): The Mariners will be playing their first game away from home this season recently falling to Roger Williams 77-39 on Sunday. Mitchell has been led by guard play in the early part of the season with senior Jamya Beddoe pacing the squad with 13.5 points per game.

All games will be streamed live at WestfieldStateOwls.com.