Fitchburg State Falls At Westfield State, 102-74

Rose collects game-high 27 points for Falcons MASCAC setback

WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team was in action this evening, dropping a 102-74 decision to the Owls of Westfield State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Woodward Center.

Fitchburg State took a 13-8 lead with just under three minutes left in first quarter on a pair of three balls by senior Shabeli Villa and freshman Emma Thomson,, while newcomer Kyra Rose and Thomson added two free throws each.

Westfield State responded with a 15-1 stretch, keyed by four points from sophomore Kierra McCarthy and senior Jill Valley's five points, while newcomer Shay Robinson, classmate Chelsea Moussette and junior Keri Paton netted two points each to make the score 23-14 after one quarter of play.

In the second frame, the Falcons opened the scoring on a trey by Rose before the Owls answered back as sophomore Lauren Carnevale hit a layup (25-17). Fitchburg State battle back midway through the quarter with senior Briana Pelton knocking down a three pointer, while Rose added a layup to cut the lead to 37-32 before the two teams traded baskets to close out the half as the Owls took a 44-36 margin into the break.

Following the intermission, Westfield State extended its lead (64-39) on buckets from McCarthy, freshman Alyssa Camara, junior Rebecca Sapouckey and sophomore Allison Hester  to put the hosts up 82-48 after three quarters of play.  

In the final stanza, the Green and Gold went on a 10-1 run, highlighted Rose's five points, while Thomson knocked down a trey and freshman Aicha Kone sank one from the charity stripe to cut the lead to 93-65.

Westfield State secured its seventh win on the season however as newcomer Jess Brown hit one of two from the free-throw line and sophomore Janaiya Sanchez hit a three-pointer, resulting in the 102-74 final.

Fitchburg State was paced by Rose's game-leading 27 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one block and three steals, while Thomson added 18 points and four caroms for the Green and Gold.

For Westfield State, Valley posted a team-best 18 points, four boards, four assists and eight steals, while sophomore Lucy Barrett registered 17 points, three rebounds, one assist and two steals.

Throughout the contest, Fitchburg State shot 26-of-68 (35.3%) from the field and 27.3% (9-for-33) from beyond the arc, while Westfield State finished 37.8% (37-for-98) overall and 6-of-30 (20.0%) from downtown.

Fitchburg State (5-4,0-1 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday as it hosts the Chargers of Colby-Sawyer College for a contest starting at 3 p.m. Westfield State (7-6, 1-0 MASCAC) will travel to MCLA on Saturday for a 3 p.m. start time.

Follow the Falcons on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!