Fitchburg State 55, Worcester State 43
Fitchburg, MA --- Junior Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardstown, MA) and sophomore Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, MA) each collected their fifth double-double of the season to post a 55-43 triumph over Worcester State this evening in MASCAC Women's Basketball action.
The Lancers (9-7) were handed their first conference loss on the season as their record is now 3-1 while the Falcons improve to 8-7 and 2-1 in league play.
FSC posted a 52-47 rebounding advantage over the Lancers as play was even with points in the paint (14-14). Fitchburg State capitalized on points off of turnovers and second chance points as they parlayed 24 Worcester State miscues into 25 points and used a 28-18 offensive board margin to score 19 extra points.
With the Lancers ahead 41-30 with 10:18 remaining in the game, the Falcons staged a furious comeback in which they erupted for a 25-2 scoring outburst to close out the game. Fitchburg State went on a 10-0 spurt over the next four minutes to trail by one (41-40) before freshman Kara Rogers (Lowell, MA) lay-up gave WSC a three-point cushion at 5:38.
The Falcons would take the lead 44-43 on a pair of free throws by Proffit 90 seconds later and they would hold the Lancers scoreless for the remainder of the contest. With WSC down by three with 2:50 left, senior Kari Averill (Barre, VT) connected for a key three-pointer to give Fitchburg State the momentum to win the contest.
Worcester State took the early 14-4 lead at 12:08 into the game before the Falcons used a 10-2 run to trim the advantage to 16-14, four minutes later. WSC would regain its composure and lead by as many as eight twice before they settled for a five point edge at the break (26-21).
The two teams traded points for the first six minutes of the second stanza before WSC used a 5-0 run to go up 11 at the 13:59 mark (37-26).
Proffitt led all players with 19 points and 13 rebounds (11 offensive boards) while Goreham added 10 points and 10 caroms. Junior Molly Maloney (Taunton, MA) also contributed 13 points as she made three of the team's six three-pointers.
The Lancers were paced by junior Kathleen Foley's (Hudson, NH) 11 points in the first half while senior Reilly O'Keefe (Warren, MA) chipped in with 10 points. Fourth-year Bri Flanders (Southampton, MA) grabbed a team-best 11 boards while sophomore Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, MA) finished with nine boards. O'Keefe and junior Becca Giguere (West Brookfield, MA) also combined to hand out six assists.
Both teams shot poorly from the field as the Lancers connected for 28 percent of their shots (15-for-24) while the Falcons were 24 percent from the field (17-for-71).
Worcester State's bench outscored their counterparts 20-7.
Both teams continue MASCAC play on Thursday evening at 6 PM. The Lancers will entertain Bridgewater State while the Fitchburg State travels to Salem, MA.