FITCHBURG, Mass. - Freshman center Britt Herring's (W. Brookfield, Mass.) game-high 19 points helped push Worcester State past Fitchburg State, 47-29, in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action Wednesday night at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Alongside Herring, Lancers' junior guard Kaitlyn Berkel (Waterford, Conn.) added a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds and sophomore guard Brianna Hackett (Hollis, N.H.) contributed eight points and four steals in the victory. Senior guard, Natasha Gonzalez (Milford, Mass.) registered a game-high four steals.

"Our two post players (Herring and Berkel) had a strong second half and were tough on the boards and in the paint tonight," commented head coach Karen Tessmer. "Brianna Hackett did a great job of distributing the ball and Natasha had a strong defensive game."

For Fitchburg State, senior forward Stephanie Leveillee (Worcester, Mass.) corralled 12 rebounds, scored six points, and swiped three steals with sophomore Michaela McTomney (Bellingham, Mass.) also scoring six for the Green and Gold.

Worcester State controlled the opening tip-off, but following a turnover on its first possession the hosts grabbed the lead when Fiona Surgrue (Dorchester, Mass.) found the cutting McTomney in the lane. Moments later McTomney turned defense into offense intercepting a pass at the arc before converting a lay-up on the fast break (4-1). With five minutes to go in the opening quarter the Lancers picked up their first field goal as Gonzalez hit from the corner to spark a 6-2 run, closing out the first (10-6).

The second quarter began when Berkel scored four unanswered points for Worcester State. Minutes later, Green and Gold senior guard Tori Cyrus (Everett, Mass.) checked into the game for the first time at home this season, getting to the line and converting two free-throws, before classmate Leveille dropped in four quick points of her own (14-12).

Following the half-time break Herring took over the contest, going for 14 of her team's 16 in the third quarter giving her team an 11-point lead headed into the fourth quarter (32-21).

In the final quarter, Hackett began the scoring for Worcester State driving to the hoop and converting a lay-up before hitting from beyond three on its next possession. With time dwindling down, Hackett hit another three, her second of the quarter, to put the game out of reach.

Worcester State held an advantage on the glass controlling 51 rebounds to Fitchburg State's 38 boards. The Lancers enjoyed a large differential in offensive rebounds, 18-6.

Fitchburg State University (0-22, 0-9 MASCAC) returns to its home court Saturday February 13th to take on conference foe MCLA at 1 P.M. Worcester State University (7-15, 4-5) will travel to Bridgewater State University on the same day.

Release courtesy of Fitchburg State student journalist Kyle Prudhomme