Salem State Withstands Fitchburg State, 69-66

Fahey paces Falcons with double-double effort of 20 points and 12 boards

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 28, 2014) – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team suffered a tough MASCAC setback this afternoon at the hands of Salem State University, falling 69-66 at the Recreation Center.

With the victory, Salem State improves to 9-11 overall and 4-3 in the MASCAC, while Fitchburg State falls to 10-8 on the year and 4-3 in the league.

Four Vikings registered double-figures in the victory, including senior Ginny Flemming (Peabody, Mass.) who paced the Salem attack with 17 points and 15 boards. Junior Rachel Carter (Salem, Mass.) and senior Ashley White (Salem, Mass.) were also solid with 15 points apiece, while sophomore Rachel Ledbetter (Dracut, Mass.) added 14 points with 7-of-9 shooting from the charity stripe.

Senior Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass.) led the Falcons offensive efforts, notching a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds, while junior Laura Cote (Ashby, Mass.) was the only other Fitchburg State player with double digits of ten points.

Salem State held a 38-23 advantage at the break thanks to an 11-2 surge to start the contest. The Vikings extended their to lead to as much as 20 throughout the period, but Fitchburg State closed the gap with an 11-2 run to end the half. White and Fleming led the Vikings with 12 points apiece, while Fahey collected eight for the Falcons.

In the second half, Fitchburg State began to chip away, trailing by only ten through the middle of the frame with a jump shot from Kristen Enright (Westminster, Mass.) at the 11:25 mark. Salem State poured on a 9-2 run to open a 17 point advantage at the 9:48 mark, but Fitchburg State responded again, inching within nine (63-54) with a 16-6 run.

Still trailing by ten with 0:35 remaining, the Falcons continued to fight, posting eight straight points with a pair of turnovers. Junior Britney Payne (Franklin, Ky.) started the rally with two free-throws and later connected on a lay-up to bring Fitchburg State within five. A steal by Megan Wodzinski (Littleton, Mass.) and bucket by Andrea Desouza (Taunton, Mass.) cut the Falcons deficit to only three (68-65) moments later.

On the in-bound play, Wodzinski denied the entry again and was fouled setting up a double bonus attempt with 0:04 remaining. The junior forward sank the first of two attempts, but missed the second with Salem securing the ball and the victory.

For the game, Salem State shot well from the floor, hitting 24-of-57 attempts, while the Falcons were held to just 33.3% shooting. Both teams were strong on the glass with the Vikings holding a 47-46 clip, while Salem finished with a 12-3 margin in turnovers.

Fitchburg State will be back in action on Tuesday as it visits Framingham State at 6 p.m.