Falcons Outlasted By Western Connecticut State, 62-47

Milton, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team dropped a 62-47 decision to Western Connecticut State University this evening in opening round action of the 2021 Curry College Tip-Off Tournament from the Katz Gymanasium.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 47, Western Connecticut State 62

Records: Fitchburg State (0-3, 0-0 MASCAC) I Western Connecticut State (1-1, 0-0 LEC)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Fitchburg State took a 5-2 edge in the first quarter on a jumper from senior Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass.) and a three ball by freshman Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) before Western Connecticut answered with a Gabrielle Franks (Madison, Conn.) layup to cut the lead to 7-6.

Trailing 11-6, West Conn chipped away at the deficit as freshman Alyssa Virtue (Groton, Conn.) and Franks knocked down buckets to make the score 11-10, but the Falcons responded with a jumper and free throw from newcomer Stephanie Hart (Shirley, Mass.) for the 14-11 advantage.

2nd quarter

Fitchburg State upped its lead to 16-11 as Harold connected on a jumper, but the Blue and Orange battled back to knot the score at 18-18 with a free throw from Olivia Monteleone (Cold Spring, N.Y.). The Green and Gold regained the lead with freshman Allison Prentis (Mansfield, Mass.) hitting a three-pointer for the 28-25 edge going into the break.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, the Falcons pushed its advantage to 30-25 as Harlow notched a bucket before Western Connecticut State took the lead back (33-32) with Ashley Rilley netting a jumper.

Fitchburg State answered back when Harlow hitting a free-throw and jumper for the 38-34 margin, but West Conn retied the contest at 40-40 following a Katelyn Fanning (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) layup. The back and forth continued when newcomer Morgan Genness (Belgrade, Maine) draining a three pointer from the right elbow to give the Falcons a 43-40 lead.

 4th quarter

West Conn regained the lead for good in the fourth frame, going on a 10-2 run to start the final quarter, capped by a Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) layup to make the score 50-45. Fitchburg State cut the deficit to within three as Prentis connected on a jumper, but Western Connecticut State secured the victory when junior Jasmine Caldwell (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) hit a jumper, resulting in the 62-47 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Harlow with a game-best 17 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals
• Harold added ten points, four boards and two assists
• For West Conn, Rilley finished a team-leading 12 points, seven caroms and four steals
• Freshman Rosaleen Regan (Monroe, N.J.) chipped in with 11 points, four rebounds and one assist
• Second meeting between the two teams on the basketball court with the Falcons 0-2 all-time when taking on Western Connecticut State
• Fitchburg State shot 20-of-53 (37.7%) from the field and (4-for-16) 25.0% from downtown
• Western Connecticut went 27-of-61 (44.3%) overall and (1-for-9) 11.1% for beyond the arc
• West Conn held a 42-28 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action tomorrow as they take on either Curry College or Anna Maria College in second round action of the 2021 Curry College Tip-Off Tournament.