Fitchburg, MA --- Senior Meaghan Burns (W. Brookfield, MA) tallied a game-best 21 points as she helped pace Worcester State to a 56-47 win over Fitchburg State in MASCAC women's basketball action this evening.
The Lancers (7-10, 3-2 MASCAC) were also led by sophomore Julie Frankian (Millbury, MA) who chipped in with 10 points while classmate Cheyenne Jennings (Worcester, MA/Wachusett) flirted with a triple-double line of 10 points, 10 boards and six assists.
Frankian and Burns both pulled down six caroms apiece in the victory as Burns also moved into a tie for 16th on the all-time scoring list with Mandy Lok (1995-00) for a stellar sum of 1,028 points.
Senior Amy Fahey (Wilmington, MA) highlighted the Falcons (9-6, 3-1 MASCAC) with a team-high 12 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Amy Wodzinski (Littleton, MA) added 10 points and four steals while junior Britney Payne (Franklin, KY) grabbed a squad-best nine boards.
With Fitchburg State nursing the 16-8 early on, the hosts continued to hold the 20-14 margin with 8:48 left to play in the opening period.
But then the Blue and Gold shrugged off the dust and utilized an 18-8 run to take over the 32-28 edge at the intermission. Burns ignited the surge with a trifecta and contributed nine points for the visitors.
The Falcons trimmed the deficit to two points with 16:00 on the clock (38-36), but Worcester State responded and opened things up with a 12-3 spurt to go up 50-23 at the 7:23 mark. Frankian contributed six points – including three field goals in the skein.
FSU, however, netted six straight points on a field goal by third-year Rebecca Fluet (Fitchburg, MA) and four points at the line by classmate Laura Cote (Ashby, MA) and Wodzinski to make it a seven point game with just under five minutes remaining (52-45).
The Lancers though received a clutch basket from junior Shannen El-Qasem (Rutland, MA/Wachusett) who helped WSU get back up into double digits with 3:11 left.
Fitchburg State received some good fortune with four miscues by the Blue and Gold over the next two minutes, but they failed to capitalize on the opportunity with missed baskets.
Frankian canned a pair of free throws for her squad in the waning moments of the contest to help head coach Karen Tessmer secure her 250th career triumph.
Worcester State put a modest 40 percent effort from the field (22-for-25) as the visitors also held advantages in rebounds (40-39), points in the paint (26-18) and second chance baskets (14-10).
The Falcons connected for 38 percent from the floor in the first half (10-for-26), but struggled in the second (18 percent – 5-for-28). FSU also held leads in offensive boards (16-15) and points off turnovers (13-8).
Both teams continue MASCAC play on Tuesday with home affairs. The Lancers play host to Framingham State at Holy Cross' Hart Center for a 6:30 PM start while Fitchburg State entertains Westfield State at 5:30.