Fitchburg State Rebounds Over Worcester State, 55-43

Proffitt collects fifth double-double of the season in key conference victory

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 19, 2010) - Junior Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) collected her fifth double-double of the season as Fitchburg State topped Worcester State College, 55-43 in MASCAC action this evening.

Trailing 41-30 with 10:18 remaining in the game, Fitchburg State staged a furious comeback, erupting for a 25-2 scoring outburst to close out the game. The Falcons strung together a streak of ten straight points over the next four minutes to trail by one (41-40) as Proffitt connected for eight of her 17 second half points.

Worcester responded moments later as a Kara Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) lay-up gave the Lancers a three-point cushion, but the Falcons continued to pump the offense, taking its first lead of the second half on a pair of free-throws by Proffitt. Fitchburg State held the Lancers scoreless for the remainder of the contest, while senior Kari Averill (Barre, Vt./Spaulding) drained a shot from long range to give the Falcons some momentum and the victory.

Worcester State paced the first half offensive tempo, taking an early 14-4 lead at the 12:08 mark of the first half but Fitchburg State used a 10-2 run to trim the advantage to 16-14, four minutes later. The Lancers regained its offensive composure and lead by as many as eight twice before settling for a five point edge at the break (26-21).

Proffitt led all players with 19 points and 13 rebounds (11 offensive boards) while sophomore Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) collected her fourth double-double of the year with ten points and ten caroms. Junior Molly Maloney (Taunton, Mass./Taunton) also chipped in on the offensive end, posting 13 points with 3-of-7 shooting from three-point range.

Junior Kathleen Foley (Hudson, N.H./Hudson) and senior Reilly O'Keefe (Warren, Mass./Quoabog) led Worcester State with a pair of double digit efforts as Foley notched 11 and O'Keefe netted ten. Senior Bri Flanders (Southampton, Mass./Hampshire) led the Lancers on the boards with a team-best 11 rebounds, while sophomore Kayleigh Charette (Fairhaven, Mass./Fairhaven) chipped in with nine.

Fitchburg State (8-7, 2-1 MASCAC) will be back in action on Thursday as it travels to Salem State College at 6 p.m. Worcester State (9-7, 3-1 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State on Thursday at 6 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 55, Worcester State 43