#6 Salem State Stuns #2 Fitchburg State, 64-50

Payette posts double-double in Falcons MASCAC semi-final setback

WESTFIELD, Mass. (February 27, 2009) - Senior Stephanie Payette (Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex) and sophomore Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) combined for 23 points and 25 rebounds as second-seeded Fitchburg State fell  to sixth-seeded Salem State, 64-50 in the MASCAC Tournament semi-finals this evening.

With the victory, Salem State (11-16) advances to tomorrow's championship round vs. top-seeded Westfield State. Fitchburg State concludes its season with a 16-10 record overall and a 9-3 mark in the MASCAC.

Payette paced the Falcons with a double-double, posting a team-high 14 points and seven rebounds, hitting 4-of-10 from the field, and 2-of-4 from three-point range. Proffitt was also strong for the Falcons, connecting for nine points and team-high 15 boards, while junior Kari Averill (Barre, Vt./Spaulding) finished with six points, three boards and two assists.

Junior Danielle Jenkins (Marlborough, Mass./Marlborough) led all-scorers with double-double, posting a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, while classmate Katie Bielonko (Chicopee, Mass./Chicopee) notched 17 points and four boards. Freshman Amy Barry (Manchester, Mass./Memorial) chipped in with 15 points and three caroms.

It was a back-and-forth contest through most of the first half, but Fitchburg State used an 11-2 run midway through the frame to grab a 24-21 lead at intermission. Payette led the Falcons first half attack with six points and eight rebounds while Proffitt controlled the boards with 10 first half rebounds. Jenkins led the Vikings with a seven point, seven rebound first half effort.

In the second half, Salem State opened the period with a 14-6 run to jump out to a 35-30 lead at the 9:28 mark. Salem State continued to pour on the offense mid way through the frame, stringing together a 9-0 run over a 1:11 span to take a 46-34 lead. The Falcons closed the Vikings gap to nine, but Salem State registered nine points over the final three minutes to secure its spot in the MASCAC Championship game.

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Salem State 64, Fitchburg State 50