Bridgewater State Rallies Past Fitchburg State, 73-62

Proffitt and Goreham register double-doubles in tough conference setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 16, 2010) - Junior Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) and sophomore Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) led Fitchburg State with a pair of double-doubles but the Falcons fell to Bridgewater State, 73-62 in MASCAC action this afternoon. 

The loss snaps Fitchburg State's five-game winning streak at home giving the Falcons a 7-7 mark on the season (1-1 MASCAC) while the Bears improved to 7-7 overall and 3-0 in the MASCAC.

Fitchburg State jumped out to an early six point lead after one half of play and grabbed a 12 point advantage early in the second frame, but Bridgewater State answered with a 19-7 run over span of six minutes to take its first lead of the contest at the 10:47 mark. The Bears scored in bunches, using a trio of three-point plays to rifle off eight unanswered points.

Sophomore Shelly DePina (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) and junior Brittney Chappron (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) ignited the Bridgewater State comeback with five points apiece, while freshman Michaela Crosby (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) added a three-point play to the run.

The Falcons battled back, regaining a slim four point margin (54-50) on a layup by Proffitt and a pair of Kelly Rogers' (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) free-throws, but Bridgewater State exploded again, stringing together 23-9 run to close out the game and clinch the victory. Chappron led the Bears game-ending burst of offense with ten points, including two buckets from beyond the arc, while DePina added seven points and five rebounds.

Fitchburg State received a solid effort from Proffitt, who tallied her team-best fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Goreham added her third double-double of the year with 13 points and a team-best 12 boards. Chappron sparked the Bears with a game-best 24 points, while DePina notched a Bridgewater State double-double with 20 points and ten caroms.

Fitchburg State (7-7, 1-1 MASCAC) will be back in action on Tuesday as it hosts Worcester State at 5:30 p.m. Bridgewater State (7-7, 3-0 MASCAC) will travel to Worcester State on Thursday at 6 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Bridgewater State 73, Fitchburg State 62