Fitchburg State Soars Past Newbury, 72-44

Fahey just 10 points shy of Falcons all-time scoring mark

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 23, 2014) – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team collected its ninth victory of the season as it downed the Nighthawks of Newbury College, 72-44 in non-conference action Thursday evening.

Senior forward Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass.) led three Falcons in double digits, netting a team-high 16 points. Fahey now remains just 10 points shy of breaking Fitchburg State's all-time scoring mark, a feat currently held by Lynn Dorrow (1987-1991).

Fitchburg State jumped out in front early, commanding a majority of the first period with a 19-6 run. Newbury broke up the string with a free-throw from Katie Haney (Winchendon, Mass.) but the Falcons' offense was just too potent as first year guard Anna Peck (Shirley, Mass.) gave them their largest lead of the half, 45-20, knocking down a lay-up with 5:19 remaining.

The Nighthawks were resilient and battled back to end the half with an 8-0 run, trailing 45-28 going into the locker room. During the five minute run, Haney registered six of Newbury's eight points including a perfect four-for-four effort from the charity stripe.

When the teams emerged from the locker room at the start of the second half, junior guard Laura Cote (Ashby, Mass.) pushed the Falcons lead back to 20 with a lay-up two minutes into the period. Newbury continued to battle as senior forward Claudia LeConte (Framingham, Mass.) registered eight caroms in the second to finish with a career single-game high 15 boards while Haney and sophomore guard Alex Pezzella (Rockland, Mass.) provided the offense, tallying six and five points respectively.

However, Fitchburg State had too much firepower and took advantage of costly Newbury miscues, outscoring the Nighthawks, 24-4 in points off turnovers. Fahey netted seven points in the frame while sophomore guard Tori Cyrus (Everett, Mass.) was right behind notching six to finish with 10 points on the night.

Haney led the Nighthawks recording a game-high 17 points while coming two rebounds shy of her fourth double-double of the season.

Fitchburg State (9-5, 3-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Worcester State at 1 p.m.  Newbury (3-12) returns to action Saturday as it hosts Becker College at 12:00 p.m.