Fitchburg State 55, Worcester State 47
Worcester, MA - The Worcester State College women's basketball team couldn't overcome a dismal performance shooting hitting just 30.6% of their shots from the floor as they fell to MASCAC rival Fitchburg State by the final score of, 55-47, Tuesday evening in Lancer Gymnasium. The Lancers fall to 5-14 (3-4 MASCAC) while the first place Falcons improve to 13-5 and 6-1 in MASCAC action.
Both team struggled to open the game as the score stood at, 6-2, Fitchburg over five minutes into the action. Fitchburg would lead, 24-12, with 4:21 remaining in the half before the Lancers closed out the half with a 9-2 run behind 5 points from senior Lindsay DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA). DelleChiaie led the way for the Lancers in the first half with 9 points. Fitchburg State was paced by sophomore Kara Averill (Barre, VT) who scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor including a pair of treys. Fitchburg State shot 42% from the floor while Worcester State was 30%.
The second half opened with 4 straight points from junior Erin McCullough (Harvard, MA) to cut the Worcester State deficit to 1 point, 26-25. A pair of threes by the Falcons' Michelle Ridge (Milton, MA) and senior Diana Doyle (Springfield, MA) pushed the Falcon lead back up to 7 points. Fitchburg State led, 38-29, with 9:14 remaining before Worcester State made their last run. The Lancers scored 6 straight points to knock the margin down to three points with 7:13 left but they would get no closer on the night.
On the game, DelleChiaie led Worcester State with 15 points. Sophomore Brianne Flanders (Southampton, MA) was strong on the glass grabbing 13 rebounds in the loss. Three Falcons reached double digits led by Doyle with 20 points. Ridge added 13 while Averill chipped in with 12. Senior Merry Donovan (Milton, MA) grabbed 12 rebounds in the win.
Worcester State returns to the hardwood on Saturday when they
travel to Westfield State College. The Falcons will host the
Salem State College Lady Vikings on Saturday afternoon as well.