Women’s Basketball Earns MASCAC Playoff Berth

Fifth-seeded Falcons visit fourth-seeded Salem State on Tuesday night

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 25, 2014) – The Fitchburg State women’s basketball team recently qualified for the 2013-14 MASCAC Women’s Basketball Playoffs, earning the ffith-seed with an overall record of 13-10 and a 6-6 mark in the MASCAC.

The Bridgewater State Bears earned the top seed in the 2013-14 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament, earning a first-round bye in next week’s tournament. The Bears and second-seeded Westfield State University await the winner of the quarterfinal rounds on Tuesday. Third-seeded Framingham State hosts sixth-seeded Worcester State at 7 p.m. while fourth-seeded Salem State entertains fifth-seeded Fitchburg State at 7 p.m.

The Bears will play the winner of Salem State/Fitchburg State at 5:30 p.m. Thursday while the Owls face-off with the victor of Framingham State/Worcester State at 7 p.m. The semifinal winners will then meet on Saturday, March 1 in the championship game which will be hosted by the highest remaining seed.

Finishing the season in a three way tie for first, Bridgewater State won the tie-breaker with eight MASCAC wins and finished 14-11 overall. Senior Jenna Williamson led the way for the Bears. She ended the regular season fifth in the conference in points per game (13.8), second in three-point percentage (36.2) and third in field goal percentage (43.5).

Last season’s tournament finalist Westfield State came in second with eight conference wins and ended the season 15-10 overall. Sophomore Forbasaw Nkamebo was a driving force for the Owls this season, leading the MASCAC in rebounds per game (8.7). Teammate Jen Ashton closed out the season atop the league in assists per game (5.6).

Framingham State concluded the season with eight conference wins and a 15-10 overall record to land the third seed in the tournament. Senior Kristen Hoffman led the Rams in points per game (14.4) and assists per game (2.8). Salem State grabbed the fourth-seed with seven wins and an 11-13 overall record. Junior Rachel Carter was lights out for the Vikings, leading the conference in points per game (20.9), second in rebounds (8.6) and fourth in field goal percentage (43).

Earning the final two spots in the tournament are Fitchburg State and Worcester State. Fitchburg State finished the season with six conference wins and a 13-10 overall record. Amy Fahey was dominant for the Falcons, closing out the season first in the conference in field goal percentage (57.3), second in points per game (15.3) and third in rebounds (7.8). Worcester State rounds out the field with five conference wins and a 9-15 overall mark. Meaghan Burns was strong for the Lancers, finishing the season third in the MASCAC in points per game (14.8).

Last season, Bridgewater State outlasted Westfield State in the conference tournament, 85-72, to win the conference title and a spot in the NCAA tournament.