Fitchburg State Rallies Past Salem State, 76-61
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Salem St. (8-11, 0-6 MASCAC) | 16 | 19 | 11 | 15 | 61 |
|
Fitchburg St. (7-8, 1-4 MASCAC) | 19 | 12 | 19 | 26 | 76 |
Rose and Thomson lead Falcons to key MASCAC victory
FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team defeated the Vikings of Salem State University, 76-61 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium.
Salem State opened the scoring on a free throw from senior Kaitlyn Bryan and a jumper by junior Norma Waggett for the 3-0 advantage. Fitchburg State proceeded to go on an 11-0 run (11-3) on baskets by senior Shabeli Villa, junior Michaela McTomney, sophomore Amy Connolly, freshman Emma Thomson and classmate Jaliannette Marquez.
The Vikings answered back with an 11-2 stretch as Waggett notched five points, while freshman Brianna Rodriguez, Bryan and sophomore Katie McDonnell added two points each to make the score 17-16 before McTomney hit a jumper to put the Falcons up 19-16 after one quarter of play.
Following a layup from Rose to extend the Falcons lead (21-16), Salem State went on a 9-2 run with Wagget igniting the Vikings offense with a three ball and a jumper, while freshman Courtney Paschal sank four shots from the charity stripe to put Salem State on top 25-23.
The Vikings upped its margin later in the frame on a trey by Bryan to make the score 35-28 before senior Melissa Guglielmello connected on a jumper and Marquez hit one of two free-throws to cut Salem State's lead to 35-31 going into the break.
Following the intermission, Salem State took a 42-35 edge after a three-pointer from Bryan with 7:32 remaining in the third quarter. Fitchburg State chipped away at the deficit, knotting the score (44-44) after a trey by newcomer Emma Thomson that polished off a 9-2 stretch.
The two teams traded baskets on the next few possessions, before the Green and Gold regained the lead for good after a pair of treys from Guglielmello to put the Falcons up 50-46 after three quarters of play.
In the final stanza, the hosts added to its advantage (64-50) as Villa knocked down a three ball and Guglielmello added a jumper. Salem State cut into the deficit with Rodriguez hitting on a pair of free-throws and a jumper, but the Falcons secured its first conference win on the year following a layup and free-throw by Rose, resulting in the 76-61 final.
Rose led the way for Fitchburg State with a game-best 23 points, ten rebounds, four assists, four steals and three blocks, while Thomson added 11 points and three caroms for the Falcons. Connolly was also solid for the Green and Gold with nine points, 11 boards and one assist off the bench.
Salem State was paced by Bryan's team-leading 17 points, four boards, one assist and one steal, while Waggett chipped in with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds as well as two steals for the Vikings.
Throughout the game, Fitchburg State went 28-for-65 (43.1%) from the field and (6-of-24) 25.0% from downtown, while Salem State shot 19-of-70 (27.1%) overall and (7-for-29) 24.1% from three point range.
Fitchburg State (7-8, 1-4 MASCAC) returns to action on Monday as it travels to Dean College to take on the Bulldogs for a contest starting at 5 p.m. Salem State (8-11, 0-6 MASCAC) will host the Rams of Framingham State University next Saturday for a MASCAC clash at 3 p.m.