Falcons Defeated By Engineers In Non-Conference Tilt

Worcester, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Basketball team suffered a tough 76-34 setback to the Engineers of WPI this evening in non-conference action from the Harrington Auditorium.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 34, WPI 76

Records: Fitchburg State (1-6, 0-0 MASCAC) I WPI (7-0, 0-0 NEWMAC)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Fitchburg State opened the contest on a 7-2 run as freshman Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) and senior Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass.) hit layups, while senior Lovashia Rosario (Boston, Mass.) knocked down a three ball.

WPI responded with a 15-0 run to close out the first quarter with junior Kara O'Neil (Holden, Mass.) leading the way with four points, while classmate Emily Raynovska (Brentwood, N.H.) added three points in the frame for the 17-7 edge.

2nd quarter

The Engineers upped its advantage 21-7 when freshman Adrianna Niles (Tewksbury, Mass.) connected on back-to-back layups before the Falcons answered back with newcomer Morgan Genness (Belgrade, Maine) draining a three ball and a layup to make the score 24-14.

The Green and Gold trimmed the lead to 30-19 when Harold hit a pair of jumpers and Genness sank a free throw, but WPI would take a 37-19  advantage into the break as Niles and senior Lisa Cristlano (Valhalla, N.Y./) notched buckets.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, Harold connected a pair of jumpers to cut the deficit to 41-23 before WPI extended it margin (50-23). The Falcons continued to battle as freshman Stephanie Hart (Shirley, Mass.) hit a free-throw, but senior McKenna Finken (Simsbury, Conn.) hit a basket to give the host a 63-24 lead.

 4th quarter

The Green and Gold reduced the deficit to 65-28 on a Lindsay McDonald (Stoughton, Mass.) jumper and two from the charity stripe from Harlow. WPI pushed its lead (70-29) with a free throw by sophomore Allison McMorrow (Quincy, Mass.) before newcomers Ephemian Bailey (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Pena Niles (Billerica, Mass.) hit two free throws each for the visitors, resulting in the 76-34 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Harold with a team-best ten points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal
• Genness chipped in with seven points, two caroms and one assist
• For the Engineers, senior Melanie Presseau (Manchester, N.H.) finished with a game-leading 12 points, one assist and four steals
• O'Neil added 11 points, six boards, two assists and two steals
• 21st meeting between the two teams on the basketball court with the Falcons 7-14 all-time when taking on the Engineers
• Fitchburg State shot 10--for-33 (30.3%) from the field and (2-of-11) 18.2% from downtown
• WPI went 31-of-75 (41.3%) overall and (8-for-24) 33.3% for beyond the arc
• Engineers held a 42-26 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they host the Pilgrims of New England College for a non-conference tilt, starting at 12:00 PM.