Falcons Nipped By Colonels, 63-57

Thomson and Rivera register 13 points each for Fitchburg State 

Milton, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team dropped a 63-57 decision to the Colonels of Curry College in non-conference action this afternoon at the Katz Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 57, Curry 63
Records: Fitchburg State (3-7) | Curry (6-4)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State raced out to an early 6-2 advantage on baskets from junior Mikala Malboeuf (Fitchburg, Mass.) and senior Michaela McTomney (Bellingham, Mass.). Curry responded with a 10-0 run as junior Emily Irwin (Billerica, Mass.) hit three ball and a layup before the Falcons regained the lead late in frame on a three-pointer by sophomore Allysa Rivera (Chelsea, Mass.) and a free-throw from McTomney for 13-12 edge.

In the second frame, the Green and Gold upped it margin (26-19) on a jumper and a pair of free-throws from Rivera, but the Colonels clawed back to knot the score at 26-26 following a layup by senior Nicole Rice (Woburn, Mass.) before sophomore Emma Thomson (York, Maine) buried a three-pointer with just 11 seconds left in the half to give Fitchburg State a 29-26 lead after 20 minutes of play.

After the break, Fitchburg State extended its lead (47-40) with just two minutes left in the s third quarter on a basket Malboeuf. Curry answered yet again though as Irwin hit a trey and a layup to cut the lead to 47-45.

In the fourth quarter, sophomore Angelina Marazzi (Manchester, N.H.) connected on a layup (50-46) for the Falcons to start the frame, but the Colonels regained the lead for good minutes later on a three pointer by Irwin for the 53-50 advantage as Curry held on for a 63-57 victory.

Inside the Numbers

Fitchburg State shot 28-for-69 (27.7%) from the field and 34.3% (9-of-37) from three point range.

Curry went 22-of-78 (28.2%) overall, including (5-for-21) 23.8% from beyond the arc.

The Falcons were led by Rivera with a team-best 13 points, while Thomson chipped in with 13 points and five rebounds.

For the Colonels, Irwin posted a game-leading 28 points and 15 rebounds, while freshman Taylor McNair (Oxford, Conn.) added ten points and two boards.

15th meeting between the two schools on the basketball court with the Falcons 5-10 all-time when taking on the Colonels.

Fitchburg State had won two of the previous three contests with Curry College, including a 71-61 triumph last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium (12/1/2016).

Up Next

Falcons will hosts the Bison of Nichols College on Tuesday for a non-conference tilt starting at 7:00 PM. Colonels are off until after the semester break when they travel to Salve Regina on Thursday, January 4th for a 5:00 PM tipoff.