Westfield State Shuts Down Fitchburg State, 70-47

Fahey collects double-double in Falcons final regular season contest

WESTFIELD, Mass. (February 22, 2014) – Sophomore center Forbasaw Nkamebo (Amherst) notched game highs of 20 points and 12 rebounds as Westfield State University captured a share of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's basketball regular season championship with a resounding 70-47 victory over Fitchburg State University this afternoon.

Westfield finishes the regular season 8-4 in the MASCAC and 15-10 overall. The Owls, who share the conference crown with Bridgewater State and Framingham State, are the No. 2 seed in the postseason tournament and will host a playoff game on Thursday, Feb. 27. 

Fitchburg State, 13-11 overall and 6-6 in the MASCAC, defeated Westfield, 83-72, in the first meeting. But this time the Owls were able to handle the Falcons' full-court press. Also, Westfield forced 28 Fitchburg turnovers, including 17 in the first half.

In a noteworthy statistic, the Owls outscored the Falcons by 43 points from the field. With nine players scoring in its efficient offense, Westfield made 33 of 71 (47 percent) field goal attempts. The Owls were credited with 25 assists on their 33 made field goals.

Conversely, Fitchburg shot 25 percent (13 for 51 from the field). The Falcons (21 for 26) did outscore Westfield (1 for 5) by a huge margin the foul line.

Westfield never trailed, jumping out to an early 7-0 lead. The Owls led 20-9 midway through the first half and held a commanding 41-20 halftime lead. Westfield's biggest second-half lead was 29 points, 66-37, when the Owls began emptying the bench. 

Sophomore guard Keri Doldoorian was Westfield' s only other player in double figures with 16 points; she also had five assists and three steals. Junior guard Jen Ashton had another stellar all-around game with seven points and game highs of eight assists and six steals. 

Junior guard Laura Cote scored a team-high 12 points for the Falcons. Senior forward Amy Fahey posted a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.