Fitchburg State 73, Worcester State 48
Fitchburg, MA --- Fitchburg State junior forward Steph Payette (Townsend, MA) poured in a game-high 17 points to lead the Falcons past visiting Worcester State College, 73-48, in the MASCAC season-opener at Fitchburg State's Recreation Center Tuesday night.
Payette was the only scorer to reach double-digits in the first half, putting home 15 points to go along with seven boards as the hosts jumped out to a 37-23 halftime cushion. She was 7-of-10 from the field while Diana Doyle (Springfield, MA) added eight points, six rebounds and a pair of steals in the opening half for the Falcons (7-4, 1-0 MASCAC).
Worcester State (2-10, 0-1 MASCAC) was able to keep pace in the first on the strength of Maureen Lemay's (Nashua, NH)six points. Erin McCullough (Harvard, MA) and Kathleen Foley (Hudson, NH)each added five points. The Lancers struggled from the floor shooting just 25.9% from the field.
FSC was never challenged in the second frame as the Falcons shot 51.6% from the field in the second half. Thirteen Falcons found the scoring column on the night as they led by as many as 29 points in the second frame before settling for the 25 point victory.
Along with Payette's 17 points, the Falcons got 8 from Merry Donovan (Milton, MA)and 7 each from Doyle and Michelle Ridge (Milton, MA) The Lancers were paced by Foley who totaled a team-high 15 points followed by Lemay who ended with 10 including a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. For the game the Lancers shot 25.5%.
Fitchburg State returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Salem State to take on the Lady Vikings in a rematch of last season's MASCAC postseason tournament championship game won by FSC. Worcester State will host Westfield State on Saturday afternoon.
Release Courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information