Worcester State Shuts Down Fitchburg State, 51-37

Payette leads Falcons with a team-high ten points and five boards

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 10, 2009) - Senior Stephanie Payette (Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex) netted a team-high ten points as Fitchburg State suffered a 51-37 setback to Worcester State College in MASCAC action this evening.

Payette led the Fitchburg State offense with her team-best ten points and five rebounds, shooting 3-of-6 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw stripe. Freshman Jamie Bertilson (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield) added seven points and six caroms to the Falcons attack, while sophomore Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) chipped in with six points and three boards.

Freshman Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, Mass./Fairhaven) led the Worcester State attack with a game-high 12 points and eight boards, while sophomore Alexis George (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) posted 11 points and five rebounds. Junior Reilly O'Keefe (Warren, Mass./Quabog) was also solid for the Lancers, totaling ten points, eight rebounds and two steals.

Worcester State held Fitchburg State to only 18.8% shooting in the first half as the Lancers grabbed a 26-20 lead at the break. O'Keefe and George paced Worcester State in the first half with seven points apiece, while Payette notched ten points for the Falcons.

In the second half, Worcester State continued its tenacious defense, holding Fitchburg State to just 17.2% shooting and only 17 points. The Lancers opened the second frame with a quick 8-0 run to take a 14 point advantage (34-20) as Charette netted a layup and a free-throw and O'Keefe drained a three-pointer. Worcester State increased its lead to 16 points midway through the frame and held Fitchburg State scoreless over the final 3:32 to secure its seventh victory of the season.

Fitchburg State (13-9, 6-3 MASCAC) will be in action on Saturday as it hosts Salem State College in its inaugural "WBCA Pink Zone" match at 1 p.m. Worcester State (7-15, 3-7 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State on Saturday at 4 p.m.

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Worcester State 51, Fitchburg State 37