Falcons Notch 85-71 Victory Over Raiders To Open 2018-19 Season

Coppinger registers career-best 18 points in non-conference victory

Nashua, N.H. – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team opened its 2018-19 season this evening, defeating the Raiders of Rivier University, 85-71 in non–conference action from the Muldoon Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 85, Rivier 71
Records: Fitchburg State (1-0) | Rivier (0-1)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Fitchburg State took a 5-2 advantage following a three pointer by junior Emma Thomson (York, Maine/York) before Rivier knotted the score at 5-5 on a layup by sophomore Lizzy Meehan (Nashua, N.H./Trinity). The Raiders regained the lead (8-5) on a trey by sophomore Jackelyn Robarge (Belmont, N.H./Belmont), but the Falcons would take a 17-16 margin at the end of the frame on a jumper from junior Emily Beauvais (Haverhill, Mass./Winchendon Sxhool).

2nd quarter

Fitchburg State upped its lead (20-16) to start the frame on a three ball from junior Catherine Coppinger (Boston, Mass./Boston Latin Academy) before the Green and Gold took its largest lead of the half (34-20) on a jumper by freshman Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass./Nantucket), en-route to a 34-26 lead at the half.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, sophomore Mishelle Logie (Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro) drained a trey to give the visitors a 40-28 edge. Rivier cut the deficit to 57-50 on a pair of free throws from junior Kayla Kacaves (Dracut, Mass./Dracut, but senior Regine Exume (Malden, Mass./Malden) converted one of two free-throw to give the Green and Gold a 58-53 lead, going into the final stanza.

4th quarter

The Raiders battled back, cutting the lead to 63-60 following two free throws by Kacaves before the Falcons went up by nine (69-60) as Thomson knocked down a three ball. Fitchburg State secured the victory later in the frame when Thomson buried another three-pointer, resulting in the 85-71 final.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will the tenth meeting between the two squads on the basketball court with the Falcons currently 6-4 all-time when taking on the Raiders.

Fitchburg State has won six the last eight matchups against Rivier, with the Raiders registering a 62-50 triumph in the last meeting on November 19, 2015 at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Falcons were led by Thomson with a team-leading 22 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks, while Coppinger added a double-double of 18 points and 13 caroms as well as five assists.

For the Raiders, Kacaves led all scorers with 34 points, seven rebounds and one assist, while Meehan chipped in with a double-double of 12 points and 12 boards.

Fitchburg State shot 38.6% (32-for-83) from the field, including 11-of-36 (30.6%) from beyond the arc, while Rivier finished 21-of-67 (31.3%) overall and (4-for-19) 21.1% from three point range.

The rebounds were even at 53 apiece, while the Falcons converted 13 Raider turnovers into 19 points.

Up Next

The Falcons will travel to Clark University on Wednesday to take on the Cougars in non-conference action, starting at 6:00 PM. Raiders will host the Owls of Maine Presque-Isle on Saturday for a non-conference bout at 5:30 PM.