Fitchburg State Cruises Past MCLA, 69-49

Payette guides Falcons to MASCAC playoffs with 11 point effort

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 17, 2009) - Senior Stephanie Payette (Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex) collected a team-high 11 points and seven rebounds as Fitchburg State cruised to a 69-49 victory over MCLA in MASCAC action this evening.

Junior Krystle O'Brien (Malden, Mass./Malden) aided Payette on the Fitchburg State attack, shooting a team-best 5-for-9 from the field en route to ten points and four steals. Freshman Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) was also solid for the Falcons with nine points and six boards, while sophomore Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) chipped in with an eight point, eight rebound effort.

MCLA junior Ali Leveille (Southampton, Mass./Hampshire Regional) led all scorers with a game-high 15 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Alie Dobrovolc (Little Falls, N.Y./Little Falls) connected for ten points and five boards. Senior Larissa Miner (Greenfield, Mass./Mohawk Trail) recorded seven points and four rebounds to aid the Trailblazer offense.

In the first half, both teams came out firing, exchanging leads three times in the opening minutes of play. Fitchburg State broke the scoring deadlock with an 11-2 run late in the frame to grab a 33-26 lead at the break. O'Brien led the Falcon charge with ten first half points, while Dobrovolc registered eight points for the Trailblazers.

In the second half, Fitchburg State took control of the contest, using a 15-6 turnover ratio to secure its 15th victory of the season. The Falcons came out flying, posting a 12-4 run in the first nine minutes to take a commanding 45-30 lead. Fitchburg State continued its scoring prowess late in the period, going up by as much as 22 points (56-34) with 7:25 remaining in regulation. Goreham led the Falcons second half attack with seven points and two boards, while Rogers brought in four points and five rebounds.     

Fitchburg State (15-9, 8-3 MASCAC) will be in action on Saturday as it concludes the regular season against Westfield State College at 1 p.m. MCLA (14-10, 4-7 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State on Saturday at 2 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 69, MCLA 49