Falcons Drop Nail-biter to Salem State, 57-56

SALEM, Mass. - Salem State University's Rachel Carter scored a game-winning layup with five seconds on the clock, as the Vikings defeated Fitchburg State University 57-56 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Conference (MASCAC) women's basketball contest on Thursday night. The game was resumed from Saturday after court issues forces a postponement.  

With the loss, the Falcons fall to 11-8 (3-5 MASCAC), while Salem State improves to 3-16 (1-6 MASCAC) on the season.
 
Jackie Boffoli and Megan Wodzinski combined for 20 first half points for Fitchburg State as the Falcons held a 36-30 lead going into intermission. Saran Kaba hit a mid-range jumper at the 11:30 mark that tied the game at 12-12 for the Vikings, while contributing two steals that allowed her team to score 10 points off of 13 Falcon turnovers in the half. Shortly after Kaba's jumper, Fitchburg opened up a 23-12 lead after an 11-0 run, led by Wodzinski, who scored five points during that stretch.
 
Despite trailing the majority of the game, the Vikings stayed within striking distance and grabbed a 55-54 lead with just under a minute to go, until a costly turnover led to a fast break jump shot made by Rebecca Fluet to give the Falcons a slim 56-55 edge with 00:24 on the clock. After a timeout, the Vikings rallied to give the ball to Carter as she scored a layup with five seconds on the clock to secure a 57-56 victory for the hosts.
 
Wodzinski led Fitchburg State with 12 points, three blocks and four steals while Boffoli added 10 points and six boards. Kristen Enright contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, while Britney Payne contributed a game-high 15 rebounds to go with seven points.

Carter scored a game-high 16 points along with nine assists, and Gabriela Feraro finished with nine points for Salem State, while Savanah Spinney added five points and four rebounds.

Fitchburg State will take on the Trailblazers of MCLA in North Adams at 1:00 pm on Saturday, Feb. 7, while The Vikings host Worcester State on the same day at 1:00 pm.

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