Falcons Upended By Owls In Conference Action

Westfield, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Basketball team dropped a 125-62 decision to the Owls of Westfield State University this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Woodward Center.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 62, Westfield State 125

Records: Fitchburg State (2-21, 1-11 MASCAC) I Westfield State (14-11, 8-4 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Fitchburg State opened the scoring as senior Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass.) connected on a jumper off an assist from freshman Pena Niles (Billerica, Mass.) before Westfield State went on a 14-0 run, capped by a pair of free-throws by senior Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) for the 14-2 lead.

The Falcons cut the deficit to 21-6 on buckets from Harold and freshman Delaney Brown (Billerica, Mass.), before the Owls upped the lead to 27-6 on a layup and free-throw from Gray. The Green and Gold answered with a three-pointer from sophomore Olivia Almeida (Wilmington, Mass.) (32-9).

2nd quarter

Westfield State extended its margin to 45-9 when newcomer Hannah Sheldon (Taunton, Mass.) netted a layup, but Almeida drained another three ball for Fitchburg State (45-12). The Falcons continued to battle with freshman Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) connected on back-to-back three balls to make the score 56-25 before the Owls took a 72-33 edge into the break on a three pointer from senior Isabella Atken (Pittsfield, Mas.).

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, freshman Ephemian Bailey (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Niles notched buckets for Fitchburg State (76-37) before senior Paris Wilkey (Lynn, Mass.) answered for Westfield State. The Falcons responded as Brown registered a jumper, but the Owls closed out the scoring in the third quarter with Wilkey hitting a jumper for the 100-51 advantage.

4th quarter

The two teams traded baskets to start the fourth frame as freshman Allison Prentis (Mansfield, Mass.) connected on a three pointer, while sophomore Jordan Grant (Gray, Maine) hit a layup (103-45).

The Green and Gold cut into the lead with Harlow and Almeida burying three-pointers, but the Owls secured the victory as sophomore Lindsey Bohenko (Lowell, Mass.) registered a jumper, resulting in the 125-62 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Harlow with a team-best 12 points, three rebounds, four assists and one steal
• Harold and Bailey combined for 20 points, 19 boards, two assists and two blocks
• For the Owls, Gray finished with 19 points, four caroms, two assists and four steals
• Grant added 19 points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block
• 78th meeting between the two teams on the basketball court with the Falcons 14-64 all-time when taking on the Owls
• Fitchburg State shot 24-for-70 (34.3%) from the field and (10-of-25) 40.0% from downtown
• Westfield State went 48-of-97 (49.5%) overall and (18-for-48) 37.5% for beyond the arc
• Falcons finished with a 51-48 margin on the glass

Up Next

Both teams conclude their 2021-22 regular seasons this afternoon and await their seeding in the upcoming MASCAC Women's Basketball Post-Season Tournament.