Worcester State Rallies Past Fitchburg State, 58-55

Fahey collects seventh double-double of the season in Falcons MASCAC loss

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 7, 2012) – Despite a 27 point effort from sophomore Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington), the Fitchburg State women's basketball team suffered a last second MASCAC setback this evening, falling to Worcester State University, 58-55.

Fahey led all scorers in the contest, shooting 9-of-20 from the floor and 9-of-14 from the charity stripe. With her 27 point effort, Fahey now moves into second all-time on the single season points list (494), surpassing D'Yana Delpero's mark of 472 set during the 2006-07 season.

Fahey was the lone Falcon in double figures, adding nine rebounds and two steals to the mix, while sophomores Laura Cote (Ashby, Mass./Saint Bernards)  and Meghan Secino (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) chipped in with six points apiece.

After one period of play, Fitchburg State held a 26-20 advantage led by Fahey's 13 point first half. The Falcons opened the half with a 7-0 run and continued to extend their lead, hitting a nine point advantage (24-15) with 7:24 remaining in the stanza.

The second half proved to be different for the Worcester State offense after shooting just 23.5% from the floor in the first half. Trailing by 11 just four minutes into the period, the Lancers unleashed a commanding 19-6 run to post a two point lead by the 7:02 mark.

A free-throw by Fahey and a Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) lay-up put Fitchburg State back on top by one (47-46) with five minutes left in regulation, but Worcester State still did not quit, knotting the score at 55-55 with just 1:45 on the clock.

Down the stretch, both teams had several chances to put their opponents away, however a lay-up by Meghan O'Keefe (Warren, Mass./Quabog) with 0:15 proved to be the game-winner forcing Fitchburg State into a fouling scenario. The Lancers were able to convert one free-throw in the final seconds and the Worcester State defense was able to keep the Falcons off the board.

For the contest, Worcester State shot 32.3% from the field, while holding Fitchburg State to just 30.2% for the night. The Falcons controlled the glass with a 47-38, including Gorehams' game-high 19 caroms, while also forcing nine steals and two blocks.

Fitchburg State (15-6, 3-6 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Salem State at 1 p.m. Worcester State (11-12, 5-5 MASCAC) will visit Bridgewater State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.