Fitchburg State Shuts Down Eastern Nazarene, 66-41

Goreham and Proffitt pace Falcons with 37 combined points

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 14, 2010) - The Fitchburg State women's basketball team improved to 5-0 at home as it defeated Eastern Nazarene College, 66-41 in non-conference action this evening.

MEGAN JACOBS

Fitchburg State sophomore Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) led all scorers, tallying a game-high 17 points to go with five rebounds and five steals, while junior Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) added 15 points, eight boards, four steals and two blocks for the Falcons.

The Falcons opened the first half with an 11-0 run as the duo of Goreham and Proffitt combined for ten of the game's first ten points. Eastern Nazarene stayed within striking distance for most of the period as sophomore Samantha Leach (Shapleigh, Maine/Massabesic) connected for 12 points and 4-of-5 shooting from downtown, but the Falcons took advantage of 20 Lion turnovers to post a nine point margin at the break.

Goreham (13) and Proffitt (10) paved the first half attack for Fitchburg State, registering 23 of the Falcons 29 points, while freshman Shardae Brown (Waterbury, Conn./Sacred Heart) controlled the glass for the Lions, reeling in seven defensive boards and one offensive carom.

In the second half, Fitchburg State turned up the offensive tempo, turning a 12 point lead at the 10:49 mark into and 32 point cushion with 4:46 remaining. Junior Kim Duprey (Bernardston, Mass./Pioneer Valley) sparked the Falcons rally with a trio of treys while classmate Megan Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) notched seven points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in the six minute run.

Duprey and Jacobs rounded out the Falcons top four scorers with nine points and seven points respectively, while Leach paced the Lions with a team-high 13. Brown was also strong for Eastern Nazarene, completing her double-double with 12 points and a game-high 15 rebounds (13 defensive).

Fitchburg State (7-6, 1-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Bridgewater State at 1 p.m. Eastern Nazarene (6-7, 0-2 TCCC) will host Gordon College on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 66, Eastern Nazarene 41