DARTMOUTH, Mass. - Led by seniors Meghan Fornaro and Torie Sutherland, who combined for 49 points, Coast Guard opened the season with a 96-93 victory over Westfield State at the U Mass Dartmouth Fairfield Inn & Suites Invitational.

Fornaro had a game-high 28 points on 10-17 shooting including 3-6 from beyond the arc to finish the day with 991 career points.

Sutherland tallied a double-double with 21 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. Sophomore Michelle Hernandez came off the bench to score a career-high 13 points and freshman Shelby Threlkeld had 12 points in her collegiate debut.

The Owls were led by senior Forbasaw Nkamebo who had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Alyssa Darling also had 15 points and was 3-8 from three.

The Bears were up thirteen at the start of the 4th quarter 81-68. Westfield State then went on a 13-3 to tie the game at 84. 

Coast Guard again pushed the lead to five at 92-87 on a layup by Threlkeld. 

After a three by Westfield State junior Kirsy Segarra and two free-throws by Nkamebo the game was tied at 92. 

On the next play, Sutherland would give the Bears the lead for good as she grabbed the offensive rebound and went back up to score her 21st point of the night and what was the game winning basket.

Two free throws by Fornaro and a pair of missed threes by the Owls in the closing seconds gave Coast Guard the 96-93 victory. 

The Bears shot 50% (35-70) from the floor and 7-20 from the three point line. Westfield State was 31-85 (36.5%) from the floor and 26.7% (8-30) from beyond the arc.

Coast Guard will play host UMass Dartmouth in the championship game of the UMass Dartmouth Fairfield Inn & Suites Invitational at 2:00 pm.