Fitchburg State Remains Perfect Over Mount Ida, 72-62

Falcons head into break with perfect 10-0 mark behind Fahey's game-best 26 points

FITCHBURG, Mass. (December 13, 2011) – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team concluded the first half of its 2011-12 season with a perfect 10-0 mark, the best start in school history, as the Falcons defeated Mount Ida College, 72-62 in non-conference action this evening.

Sophomore Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) sparked the Fitchburg State offense, posting a double-double effort of 26 points and 15 rebounds, while also adding three assists and three steals on the evening. Sophomore Meghan Secino (Leominster, Mass./Saint Bernards) finished with 13 points with three buckets from beyond the arc, while senior Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) nearly missed a double-double with nine points and game-best 18 caroms.

Both teams started the contest off strong, battling for position in the opening minutes, but Fitchburg State was able to make the first move, posting a 19-13 advantage by the 9:19 mark. Mount Ida rallied back with a 10-3 surge as Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, Conn./New Fairfield) knocked down a three to give the Mustangs a one point margin (23-22).

Fitchburg State closed the first half strong however, using a 10-4 run to erase a five point deficit and take a 35-34 lead into the locker room. Fahey led the Falcons with 15 points in the half, while Fedigan notched double-figures for the Mustangs with 12 points.

In the second half, the Falcons came out soaring, posting a 7-2 run for a six point lead just 3:25 into the period. Senior Madeline Merchant (Garnder, Mass./Monty Tech) sparked the Falcons off the bench, totaling three points and seven boards in the frame, while Fahey capped her night with 11 points, including 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.

Fitchburg State opened its lead to ten points midway through the period as Merchant put back a Secino miss for a 55-45 advantage. The Mustangs answered immediately with a three from Ebvebonee Acosta (Hartford, Conn./Bulkeley) and a jumper from Allison O'Connor (Leominster, Mass./Leominster), but back-to-back buckets from Laura Cote (Ashby, Mass./Saint Bernards) and Fahey brought the Falcon lead back to ten with 5:23 remaining.

For the contest, Fitchburg State shot 36.2% from the field, including 13-of-30 in the first half, while Mount Ida was limited to just 32.0% shooting for the game, including 22.6% from three point range.

Fedigan registered a team-best 14 points and four rebounds to lead the Mount Ida offense, while Acosta and freshman Jenn Rafuse (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) finished with 12 points and ten points respectively.

Fitchburg State (10-0, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action after the break as it travels to Anna Maria College on January 3rd at 5:30 p.m. Mount Ida (6-4, 0-0 GNAC) is also off until after the break when it hits the court again on January 5th vs. Framingham State.