Westfield State Runs Past Fitchburg State, 70-50

Goreham notches second double-double of season in MASCAC setback

FITCHBURG Mass. (January 25, 2011) – Junior Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) collected her second double-double of the season but the Fitchburg State University women’s basketball team suffered a 70-50 setback to Westfield State University in MASCAC action this evening.

REBECCA GOREHAM

Goreham led the Falcons attack, shooting 4-of-10 from the field (1-of-2 3PT) to post a team-best 11 points and ten rebounds, while freshman Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) added ten points and eight boards off the bench. Senior Megan Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) was also strong with eight points, hitting 1-of-3 from the long range and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line.

Senior Ashley Finnegan (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) notched her own double-double on the evening to lead the Westfield State offense as the veteran forward tallied a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds. Finnegan shot 9-of-20 from the floor to pace the Owls 41.8% shooting effort, while sophomore Brianna Kelly (Hampden, Mass./Minnechaug Regional) recorded 18 points with 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Senior Cassy Jouannet (Conway, Mass./Frontier Regional) was also solid for the Owls, notching a double-double effort of 17 points and ten boards.

Westfield State grabbed its command early and never relinquished its lead as the Owls opened the contest with 12-0 run in the game’s first 5:21. The Owls held a 13 point advantage (33-20) at the break using a 13 point, first half from Kelly. Kelly ignited the Owls opening run with three at the 17:19 mark, before rifling off a series of jumpers in the closing minutes of the half. Jouannet added eight points to the first half mix, while Fahey led the Falcons with eight points and six caroms.

In the second half, Fitchburg State received a spark from its bench as Goreham and Jacobs combined for 21 points in the period. The Owls maintained their double-digit margin however, matching Fitchburg State basket-for-basket throughout the half for their fourth league victory of the season. Finnegan closed the contest strong with 16 points (7-of-13), while Jouannet tallied nine points and seven rebounds.

Westfield State benefitted from its strong three point shooting (54.5%), while limiting Fitchburg State to only 16 field goals in the contest (16-of-61). The Owls took advantage of 20 Falcon turnovers, turning 11 steals into 20 points on the offensive end.

Fitchburg State (8-8, 2-3 MASCAC) will travel to Framingham State University on Saturday at 1 p.m. Westfield State (12-5, 4-1 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State University on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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Westfield State 70, Fitchburg State 50