Worcester State Lances Fitchburg State, 76-64

Fahey paces Falcons efforts with a team-best 17 points

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 15, 2013) – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team fell victim to the Lancers of Worcester State University, falling 76-64 in MASCAC action at the Recreation Center.

Four Falcons collected double figures for Fitchburg State led by junior Amy Fahey's (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) team-best 17. Classmate Laura Cote (Ashby, Mass./Saint Bernards) was also strong with ten points, while sophomore Megan Wodzinski (Littleton, Mass./Littleton) and freshman Erika Schneider (Rockland, Mass./Rockland) chipped in with 11 points and ten points respectively.  

Senior Meaghan O'Keefe (Warren, Mass./Quabog) led the Lancer attack, totaling a double-double with a career-best 26 points and 18 rebounds to go with six blocks, three assists and two steals. Junior Meaghan Burns (W. Brookfield, Mass./Quabog) collected 15 points with 6-of-11 shooting, while senior Kara Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) finished with nine points, hitting 6-of-7 from the charity stripe.

Worcester State grabbed an early 18 point advantage in the first half play, posting a 39-21 margin with 53.3% shooting from the field. O'Keefe sparked the Lancers with 12 points and eight boards in the frame, while Burns added 11 points with 5-of-7 shooting from the floor. Fahey led all Falcon scorers with six points and six caroms.

The Lancers continued their momentum in the second half, maintaining their double-digit lead for much of the period. O'Keefe enjoyed a strong stanza with 14 points and ten rebounds, while Rogers added six.

Down the stretch Fitchburg State crept back slowly, cutting the Worcester State lead to only eight with 4:08 remaining. The Falcons rifled off an 18-8 run, including a pair of threes from Fahey and Wodzinski, to inch within four (65-61) but clutch free-throwing shooting from Rogers (6-of-6) and O'Keefe silenced the Fitchburg State comeback hopes.

For the game, Worcester State 49.0% from the field, while limiting the Falcons to just 33.9% shooting. The Lancers finished 20-of-25 from the free-throw line, while hitting 6-of-13 from downtown.

Fitchburg State (7-8, 0-3 MASCAC) will be back in action on Tuesday as it travels to Salem State at 5:30 p.m. Worcester State (8-9, 4-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Thursday as it visit Bridgewater State at 5:30 p.m.