Falcons Hold Off Trailblazers In Conference Action

North Adams, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Basketball team defeated the Trailblazers of MCLA, 59-51 this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Amsler Gymnasium.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 59, MCLA 51

Records: Fitchburg State (2-12, 1-2 MASCAC) I MCLA (0-15, 0-5 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Fitchburg State took a 4-3 edge on baskets from senior Lovashia Rosario (Worcester, Mass.) and freshman Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) before MCLA went on a 6-0 run as junior Brooke DiGennaro (Pittsfield, Mass.) hit a layup from the 9-4 lead.

The Falcons responded, going on a a 9-0 with Rosario and senior Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass.) converting jumpers, while sophomore Olivia Almeida (Wilmington, Mass.) knocked down a tree ball to make the score 13-9.

2nd quarter

The Green and Gold grabbed a 16-11 margin as Almeida drained another three pointer, but the Trailblazers answered back with a 9-0 stretch, capped by a DiGennaro layup for the 19-16 lead. Fitchburg State regained the advantage on back-to-back baskets from Harold, while freshman Pena Niles (Billerica, Mass.) and Rosario added layups for the 24-21 edge.

MCLA cut the deficit to 24-23 as seniors Hannah Mazzeo (Averill Park, N.Y.) and Emily Burke (Vorhessville, N.Y.) notched buckets before the Falcons closed out the half with a three ball by Almeida and a Gina Parmenter (Oxford, Mass.) layup for the 29-25 lead going into the break.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State upped its lead to 31-25 on a Morgan Genness (Belgrade, Maine) layup, but MCLA trimmed the lead to 31-30 as junior Maddie Teta (Troy, N.Y.) registered a bucket.

MCLA battled back to trim the lead to 40-37 on a Teta jumper before the Green and Gold pushed its advantage to 48-38 when Rosario drilled back-to-back three pointers.

 4th quarter

The two teams traded buckets to start the fourth frame as Burke collected the basket for the Trailblazers, while Niles netted the Falcons bucket (50-40). Trailing 50-40, MCLA answered with three ball from DiGennaro, but Fitchburg State secured the victory with Almeida burying a three pointer, resulting in the 59-51 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Harold with a team-best 16 points, six boards and one assist
• Rosario chipped in with a double-double of 14 points and 11 caroms as well as four steals
• For the Trailblazers, Mazzeo finished with a game-leading 24 points, ten rebounds, one assist and two steals
• DiGennaro added ten points, three boards, three assists and four steals
• 74th meeting between the two teams on the basketball court with the Falcons 45-29 all-time when taking on the Trailblazers
• Fitchburg State shot 23--for-65 (35.4%) from the field and (7-of-22) 31.8% from downtown
• MCLA went 18-of-63 (28.6%) overall and (4-for-29) 13.8% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a 53-35 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they host the Owls of Westfield State University in MASCAC action, starting at 5:00 PM.