Rhode Island Stops Fitchburg State, 71-60

Goreham collects first collegiate double-double in Falcon setback

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (February 5, 2009) - Freshman Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) posted her first collegiate double-double as Fitchburg State fell to Rhode Island College , 71-60 in non-conference action this evening.

Goreham led the Falcons attack, posting ten points and 11 boards on 3-of-6 shooting from the field. Sophomore Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) was also solid with a team-high 13 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Jamie Bertilson (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield) added ten points and two rebounds. Freshman guard Stephanie Coro (North Providence, R.I.) netted a game-high 19 points for Rhode Island.

Rhode Island opened the contest with a 17-7 lead at the 13:53 mark as Coro connected for 11 points in the first six minutes of the match. Coro drained three shots from long-distance, while junior forward Cassi Malec (Glocester, R.I.) netted two three-pointers.

Fitchburg State stormed back with a 10-0 run of their own, tying the game at 17-17.  Four different Falcons scored during the rally, led by freshman Amandra Purcell's (Hudson, N.H./Hudson) three-pointer and a three-point play by Proffitt. With the game tied up, 19-19, junior LaSheena Boyd (Stratford, Conn.) fed Coro for layup and RIC never looked back as the Anchorwomen outscored the Falcons, 24-7, over the final 10:02 of the first stanza.

In the second half, Rhode Island kept up the pressure with a 9-2 run to open the frame,  building a game-high 24-point lead, 52-28, with 16:10 left. Fitchburg State pulled within 13 points, 61-48, on Goreham's three-pointer at 8:30, but Rhode Island junior Ashley Abrahamson (Raynham, Mass.) cashed in with a layup and free throw to cancel the threat.

Fitchburg State (12-8, 5-2 MASCAC) will hit the court again on Saturday as it hosts Bridgewater State College at 1 p.m. Rhode Island (9-11, 4-5 LEC) will travel to Plymouth State University on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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Rhode Island 71, Fitchburg State 60