Johnson & Wales Soars Past Fitchburg State, 95-27

Schneider registers career best 13 points for Falcons in 2015-16 season opener

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team opened its 2015-16 season this afternoon, dropping a 95-27 decision to the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University in non-conference action at the Wildcat Center.

Johnson & Wales opened the contest with an 11-0 run on a pair of baskets from junior Ashley Thompson and five points by classmate Bobbie Whitehead with 7:29 remaining in the first quarter before extending its lead to by as many as 19 (22-3) on a jumper from Amber Edwards.

In the second quarter, the Wildcats went on an 8-0 stretch, keyed by Thompson's four points before the Falcons answered with a layup by senior forward Erika Schneider (35-8) with just under six minutes to play in the half as the hosts took a 50-11 advantage into halftime.

Following the break, Johnson & Wales upped its lead to 60-11 with another 10-0 run as Thompson led the way with six of the Wildcats ten points. The Falcons continued to battle in the quarter as Schneider connected on a pair of jumpers as well as knocking down one free throw in the frame to make the score 72-21 after three quarters of play.

After jumpers by juniors Briana Pelton and Holly Wentworth, the hosts secured its first win of the season, going on a 17-0 streak as Jordan Neylon connected on a trio of baskets, while Kimberly Viafaria added

Fitchburg State was led by Schneider, who finished with finished with a career best 13 points and three rebounds, while freshman Samantha Holey added five points and a team-leading seven rebounds.

Thompson paced the Wildcats with a game-high 20 points, eight caroms, three assists, two blocks and a steal, while Whitehead added a double-double of 18 points and 11 boards to go along with one steal.

For the game, Johnson & Wales controlled the glass, holding a 53-30 advantage, while forcing 27 turnovers into 35 points. Fitchburg State finished 9-of-42 from the field and 8-of-15 from the charity stripe, while the Wildcats shot 44-of-85 from the floor and just 3-of-8 from the free-throw line. 

Fitchburg State (0-1, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action tomorrow as it travels to Colby-Sawyer at 1 p.m. Johnson & Wales (12-7, 4-4 MASCAC) will visit Pine Manor on Tuesday for a contest starting at 7:30 p.m.