Bridgewater State Edges Fitchburg State, 99-96 (OT)

Rogers collects season-best 26 points in MASCAC thriller

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 5, 2011) – Fitchburg State senior Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) registered a season-best 26 points but a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Bridgewater State senior Brittney Chappron spoiled a Falcon victory as the Bears notched a 99-96 overtime victory yesterday afternoon.

Down 82-78 inside the final minute of the second half, Monica-Sabina Bharoocha scored on a layup to cut the Bears' deficit to two with 39 seconds left to play. A pair of Rogers' free-throws gave Fitchburg State an 84-80 advantage and on the ensuing possession, Bridgewater State turned the ball over with 16 seconds left to seemingly give the Falcons a key, conference win. 

KELLEY ROGERS

Rogers connected on one of her two free-throws as the Bears were forced to foul in the closing seconds, but Bridgewater State took advantage of an Elisha Homich three with nine seconds left to make it a two-point game at 85-83.

Bridgewater State fouled immediately out of a timeout and senior Molly Maloney (Taunton, Mass./Taunton) connected on just one of two at the line. Following the basket, the Bears quickly inbounded and got the ball into Chappron's hands at the top of the three-point arc. As the clock ticked down to zero, the veteran guard turned and let loose the buzzer-beating trifecta.

In the extra frame, both teams battled with three lead changes and one tie. With the score knotted at 93-93, Bridgewater State grabbed a two point advantage as Jenna Williamson knocked down two free throws and later posted a four point advantage with a pair of charity line shots form Corey Cuddihy. Rogers kept the Falcons in striking distance with a three at the 0:03 mark, but Chappron iced the contest with a pair of free throws down the stretch.

Bridgewater shot 55% (36-66) from the field for the game including 9-of-26 (35%) from three-point range, while Fitchburg State shot 47% (33-70) from the field for the game including 7-of-15 (47%) from three-point range. 

Rogers paced the Fitchburg State with 26 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while senior Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) checked in with 16 points and four boards. Freshman Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) was also strong with 14 points and four caroms.

Fitchburg State (9-10, 3-5 MASCAC) will be in action again on Tuesday as it travels to Worcester State University at 6 p.m. Bridgewater State (14-5, 5-3 MASCAC) will travel to Colby at 6 p.m.

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Bridgewater State 99, Fitchburg State 96 (OT)