Salem State Shuts Down Fitchburg State, 67-58

Fahey sparks Falcons with 17 points, 12 rebound double-double

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 14, 2013) – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team suffered a tough MASCAC setback this evening, falling to the Vikings of Salem State University, 67-58 at the Recreation Center.

Junior Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) led the Fitchburg State offense, totaling a team-best double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, while classmate Laura Cote (Ashby, Mass./Saint Bernards) also notched double figures with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Sophomore Megan Wodzinski (Littleton, Mass./Littleton) chipped in with nine points and seven caroms.

For the Vikings, sophomore Rachel Carter (Merrimack, N.H./Merrimack) led all scorers, totaling a game-best 18 points with 8-of-13 shooting from the charity stripe. Three other players notched double figures for Salem State, including Sandra Lanier (Groton, Mass./Groton-Dunstable) with 16, Bridget Dullea (Peabody, Mass./Bishop Fenwick) with 11 and Lara Bruni (Gloucester, Mass./Bishop Fenwick) with ten.

In the first half, Salem State emerged with a 33-24 advantage, after limiting Fitchburg State to just 21.9% shooting. The Vikings broke open the contest midway through the frame, collecting a 16-5 run behind eight points from Cater. Fahey led the Falcons first half efforts with seven points and 11 boards, while Carter hit 4-of-6 from the field to lead the Vikings with 13 points.

In the second half, Fitchburg State responded, chipping away at the Vikings lead to come within three (37-34) following a Fahey lay-up at 16:01. The Falcons shot 41.9% in the second frame, receiving ten points from Fahey, while the Vikings were limited to just 1-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, but shot 11-of-13 from the free-throw line to maintains their lead.

A three pointer from Wodzinski brought Fitchburg State within six with just under 0:30 remaining, but a homer run pass connected with Ashley White (Salem, Mass./Salem) to put Salem back up eight with 0:17 remaining. A pair of free-throw from Lanier sealed the deal for Salem State with ten second left in regulation.

For the game, Fitchburg State finished 20-of-63 from the field, including 5-of-18 from three point range. The Vikings collected a 47-45 advantage on the boards, while shooting 36.5% (23-of-63) from the field.

Fitchburg State (10-13, 3-8 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it visits Westfield State at 1 p.m. Salem State (11-13, 4-7 MASCAC) will host Worcester State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.