Fitchburg State Defeats UMass Boston, 76-72

Fahey sets a new single game, program record with 39 points

FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 22, 2011) – Sophomore Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) set a new school, single game points record as the Fitchburg State women's basketball team defeated UMass Boston, 76-72 in non-conference action this evening.

Fahey broke a 20 year Fitchburg State record previously set by Malane Perry (1991-1992, 37 points) as the Falcons extended their season-opening winning streak to four games. Fahey set a new program mark with 39 points, hitting 15 of her 22 attempts from the floor while adding eight rebounds and three blocks. Senior Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) was also strong, registering a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 21 rebounds, while sophomore Laura Cote (Ashby, Mass./Saint Bernards) cracked double-digits with 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting.

Despite trailing by four (35-31) at the half, Fitchburg State rallied back in the second period outscoring the Beacons 45-37 for its fourth consecutive victory. The Falcons opened the frame with a 10-6 run to take their first lead of the half, sparked by consecutive buckets from Madison Marek (New Ipswich, N.H./Saint Bernards), Cote, Goreham and Fahey, before posting a 9-0 run midway through the stanza to break open the contest.

Holding a 64-55 lead with 7:51 remaining in the contest, UMass Boston quickly inched back, coming within three (64-61) as Kristen Morrisson (North Reading, Mass./North Reading) rifled off six straight points for the Beacons, but the Falcons answered with a pair of Fahey lay-ups to extend their lead to seven with 3:18 remaining. Fitchburg State closed the contest with six straight free-throws to secure the win.

Fitchburg State shot 42.6% from the floor, while holding UMass Boston to only 32.6% shooting for the contest. The Beacons did connect on 9-of-32 attempts from beyond the arc, but were hampered just 53.8% from the charity stripe.

Freshman Lauren Perra (Taunton, Mass./Taunton) led the Beacons with 17 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals, while Morrison added a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards. Sophomore Shelby Buck (Greenfield, Ohio/Greenfield McClain) rounded out the UMass Boston top scorers with 13 points on the evening.

Fitchburg State (4-0, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action next Tuesday as it travels to Nichols College at 5:30 p.m. UMass Boston (1-2, 0-0 LEC) will visit Wheelock College next Thursday at 7 p.m.