Fitchburg State Holds Off Framingham State, 71-69

Fahey drops a game-high 34 in Falcons third MASCAC win of the year

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 4, 2012) – Sophomore Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) totaled a game-high 34 points to lead the Fitchburg State women's basketball team to a 71-69 MASCAC victory over Framingham State this afternoon.

Fahey led the Falcons charge, turning in another double-double on her standout season. The sophomore forward added 15 rebounds to her 12-of-18 shooting performance, while hitting 10-of-16 from the charity stripe. Senior Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) and junior Kelsey Johnston (Shirley, Mass./Saint Bernards) chipped in with eight points on the afternoon, while sophomore Meaghan Secino (Leominster, Mass./Saint Bernards) hit a pair from beyond the arc.

Framingham State used a balanced attack as four players reached double figures. Junior Madeleine Park (Blue Hill, Maine/George Stevens) paved the way, posting team-high 17 points and six rebounds, while freshman Nicole Bostic (North Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) added 12 points and four caroms. Sophomore Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro) and junior Kia Minor (Edgartown, Mass./Martha's Vineyard) collected 11 points apiece.

In the first half, Fitchburg State used a 13 point effort from Fahey to open a nine point lead (19-10) by the midway point, but Framingham State responded with a 7-0 run of its own, cutting the Falcon lead to just a bucket (19-17). Following a full timeout, Fitchburg State answered the comeback call as Secino fired a shot from beyond the arc to kick start an 8-0 Falcon run.

The Falcons maintained a four basket advantage for much of the period, including a ten point margin (31-21) following another Secino three at the 3:15 mark, but Bostic took over for the Rams, posting seven consecutive points to lead a 9-0 charge. The rookie guard brought the Rams deficit to only one (33-32) after firing a shot from long range, but a last second three from Jackie Boffoli (Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional) put the Falcons up by four at the break.

Play remained tight through the second half, with neither team grabbing more than a two basket advantage. Fitchburg State held the largest lead of the frame, 52-46, but Framingham State marched back, posting a four point lead (64-60) with 4:28 remaining in regulation. Fitchburg State regained a two point advantage by the 1:59 mark, but four consecutive points from Minor put Framingham State back up by 69-67.

The Falcons reclaimed a one point advantage with 0:26 left in the contest as Fahey connected on a jumper in the paint and sank the following free-throw to convert the three point opportunity. On the very next possession, the Rams drove the length of the court, but Fitchburg State held strong defensively with Boffoli taking the charge for the Falcons.

Fitchburg State increased its lead to 71-69 with a free-throw from Fahey, giving Framingham State on more chance to knot the score in the final 0:08 seconds. The Rams created some movement, setting Park up for a game-winning three, but the junior's shot fell just short, giving the Falcons their third conference win of the year.

Fitchburg State (15-5, 3-5 MASCAC) will be back in action on Tuesday as it travels to Worcester state at 8 p.m. Framingham State (11-10, 2-7 MASCAC) will host Salem State on Tuesday at 6 p.m.