Fitchburg State Shoots Past Worcester State, 78-48

Payette and Maloney combine for 36 points as Falcons improve to 2-1 in conference play

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 20, 2009) - Senior Stephanie Payette (Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex) registered a double-double to help lift Fitchburg State past Worcester State, 78-48 in MASCAC action this evening.

MOLLY MALONEY

Payette posted a game-high in both points and rebounds as she led the Falcon attack with 21 points and ten boards. Payette shot 7-of-10 from the floor and while knocking down 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. Aiding Payette in the Fitchburg State front court was sophomore Molly Maloney (Taunton, Mass./Taunton), who recorded a season-high 15 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting. Sophomore Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) chipped in with seven points and six caroms.

Freshman Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, Mass./Fairhaven) led the Worcester State attack with a team-best 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Senior Erin McCullough (Harvard, Mass./Bromfield) added nine points and four rebounds for the Lancers, while sophomore Alexis George (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) finished with seven points and four boards.

Fitchburg State opened the contest with a 12-2 run and maintained its double-figure lead to close the first half with a 37-23 advantage. Payette led the Falcon charge with 15 points and seven boards in the half, while Maloney tallied eight on 3-of-3 shooting.

In the second half, the Falcons continued their hot-shooting, hitting 51.5% of their shots from the field. Fitchburg State started the period with an 11-2 run, grabbing a 25 point lead with 15:00 remaining in regulation. Maloney ignited the Falcons surge with seven points in the half, while freshman Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) added six.

Fitchburg State (9-6, 2-1 MASCAC) will be in action on Thursday as it travels to Salem State College at 6 p.m. Worcester State (5-11, 1-3 MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 73, Worcester State 48