FSU Drops Regular Season Finale to Owls on Senior Day
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Westfield St. (21-4, 12-0MASCAC) | 28 | 44 | 72 |
|
Fitchburg St. (13-11, 4-8MASCAC) | 27 | 29 | 56 |
Falcons drop conference battle to top-seeded Owls
FITCHBURG, Mass. - Westfield State University had all five starters in double figures in scoring as the Owls defeated Fitchburg State University, 72-56, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Conference (MASCAC) women's basketball tilt on Saturday afternoon. Prior to tipoff the 13 seniors participating in the contest were honored.
With the loss the Falcons fall to 13-11 (4-8 MASCAC), while Westfield State improves to 21-4 and finishes the regular season with an undefeated league record of 12-0.
In a back and forth first half that saw 10 lead changes within the first 12 minutes of play, Fitchburg State would take their largest lead of the contest of six points at the 6:47 mark on a layup by senior guard Laura Cote. The Owls regained a slim advantage with 1:40 remaining in the stanza with a layup by sophomore guard Jill Valley, and then proceeded to take a 28-27 margin into halftime.
Fitchburg State regained the lead to start the closing period when senior center Kristen Enright made a layup on the squads opening drive, but the Owls responded to outscore the Green & Gold 44-29 in the second half, thanks in large part to shooting 63.3% (19-30) from the floor.
Cote finished with a game-high 22 points in the setback, while senior guard Rebecca Fluet chipped in with 11 points, and Enright had eight points and a contest-leading 10 rebounds.
Valley led the Owls with 16 points, while junior center Forbasaw Nkamebo had 14 points and a team-high nine caroms. Senior guard Jen Ashton contributed with 13 points, while senior center Gabby Felix and sophomore guard Alyssa Darling had 11 points each in the winning effort.
Overall, Fitchburg State shot 37.9% (25-66) from the hardwood, while Westfield State finished going 29-56 (45.3%) from the field. The Owls held a 45-38 edge in rebounds, while having a 44-32 advantage in points in the paint.
Prior to the contest the Fitchburg State seniors Gina Angelini, Jackie Boffoli, Cote, Enright, Fluet, Lucy Holewa, Tara Ingram, and Megan Wodzinski were recognized for their contributions to the program over the four years at the university.
The Falcons will be back in action on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the MASCAC Tournament as the fifth seeded Fitchburg State will travel to #4 Framingham State for a 7:00 pm tipoff. The top-seeded Westfield State will get a first round bye and will host the semifinals on Thursday.
