Fitchburg State Downs MCLA, 86-63

Five Falcons net double-digits in fourth conference victory of the season

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (January 24, 2009) - Sophomore Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) and senior Stephanie Payette (Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex) combined for 34 points as Fitchburg State defeated MCLA, 86-63 in MASCAC action this afternoon.

Payette and Rogers were two of five Falcon players that finished in double figures. The duo netted 17 points apiece to lead the Fitchburg State charge, while junior Kari Averill (Barre, Vt./Spaulding) and freshman Amandra Purcell (Hudson, N.H./Alvrine) added 15 points and 13 points respectively. Sophomore Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) chipped in with 11 points and eight boards.

Freshmen Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, N.Y./Cooperstown) and Ali Dobrovolc (Little Falls, N.Y./Little Falls) paced MCLA combining for 35 points. Wehner led all scorers with a game-high 19 points, while Dobrovolc added 16 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field. Junior Laura Silverman (Ballston Lake, NY / Shenendehowa) controlled the boards for the Trailblazers with a game-high 14 caroms.

MCLA opened the contest with their only lead of the match, but Fitchburg State overpowered the Trailblazers in the first frame, forcing 22 turnovers for a 23-point (47-26) lead at the break. Averill led all scoring in the first half with 13 of her 15 points.

In the second half, Fitchburg State extended its lead to 27 midway through the frame as Payette connected for 13 points. The Trailblazers cut their turnovers to only six in the period and inched within 14 points, but the Falcons complete 40.5% of their second half shots to clinch their 11^th victory of the season.        

Fitchburg State (11-6, 4-1 MASCAC) will be in action on Tuesday as it hosts Westfield State at 5:30 p.m. MCLA (10-7, 1-4 MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State College on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 86, MCLA 63