Westfield State Defeats Fitchburg State, 66-41

Goreham and Orszulak pace Falcons in final regular season contest

WESTFIELD, Mass. (February 19, 2011) – Senior forward Ashley Finnegan (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) posted her 17th double-double of the season with game highs of 21 points and 14 rebounds to lift Westfield State University to a 66-41 victory over Fitchburg State University this afternoon.

With the victory, Westfield State (20-5, 11-1 MASCAC) claims the top-seed in the MASCAC Tournament, earning a first round bye, while Fitchburg State (11-12, 5-7 MASCAC) advances to the MASCAC quarterfinals to face Worcester State University Tuesday evening. Worcester State battles Salem State this afternoon at 4 p.m. for home court advantage.

The Owls opened the contest with a 17-4 run in the first seven minutes sparked by two 3-point baskets from junior point guard Janae Jones (Springfield/Minnechaug). Westfield State led by as many as 19 (32-13) but Fitchburg State closed the half with a 5-0 run for a 32-18 deficit heading into the break.

In the second half, Fitchburg State cut the Westfield State lead to only eight and two occasions, including 48-40 at the 8:17 mark, but Westfield State found its offensive groove gain, rifling off an 18-0 run for 66-40 advantage. Finnegan paced the Owls with 13 second half points

Westfield State finished with 20 turnovers and shot 4-for-18 from 3-point range, making all four treys in the first half. The Owls out-rebounded the Falcons, 43-27, while limiting Fitchburg State to just 29 percent shooting from the field.

Fitchburg State was led by junior Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) who tallied nine points and five rebounds, while freshman Alyssa Orszulak (Palmer, Mass./Palmer) added seven points off the bench.

Senior Cassy Jouannet (Conway, Mass./Frontier Regional) was also strong for the Owls with ten points and six rebounds, while sophomore Briana Kelly (Hampden, Mass./Minnechaug) added 11 points and three boards.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY TO FOLLOW

Westfield State 66, Fitchburg State 41