Fitchburg State Defeated By Salem State, 75-50
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fitchburg St. (0-17,0-5) | 7 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 50 |
|
Salem St. (5-13,2-4) | 15 | 33 | 12 | 15 | 75 |
Villa notches career best 16 points for Falcons in MASCAC setback
SALEM, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team suffered a tough 75-21 setback to the Vikings of Salem State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at the Twohig Gymnasium.
Fitchburg State opened the contest with a pair of buckets from senior Stephanie Leveillee and sophomore Michaela McTomney before the Vikings responded with eight straight points on a trio of baskets by junior Malissa Saad and a layup from sophomore Kate Lipka to take an 8-4 lead.
Following a jumper from McTomney to make the score 8-6, Salem State closed the first quarter with a 7-1 run as Lipka knocked down a three pointer, while junior Kaitlyn Bryan added two points for a 15-7 margin after the first quarter.
The two team traded baskets to start the second quarter before the hosts expanded its lead on a 13-0 stretch as Bryan sparked the run with nine of her 14 first half points, while Saad and senior forward Tahira Peralta added two points each to make the score 48-24 going into the break.
Following intermission, the Falcons cut into the deficit on layup by Leveillee, a jumper from McTomney and a three ball by junior Shabeli Villa (51-33), but the Vikings took a 60-37 advantage at the end of the third frame as newcomer Tyra Scott connected on a pair of baskets.
In the final quarter, the Green and Gold continued to rally as Villa knocked down a trey as well as sinking three free three after drawing a foul on three point attempt to make the score 66-47. That's as close as the Falcons would get though as Scott sank a pair of shots from the charity stripe follow a bucket by sophomore Fiona Sugrue, resulting in the 75-50 final.
For Fitchburg State, Villa registered a new career high with 16 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal, while Leveillee added a double-double of 13 points, 11 caroms and an assist. McTomney was also solid for the Falcons, registering six points, eight boards, three steals and on assist.
Salem State was led by Bryan, who posted a game-best 23 points, four boards, five assists and three steals, while Scott chipped in with 12 points, eight rebounds, four steals and a pair of assists. Saad (11), Lipka (10) and Peralta (10) all reached double digits as well for the Vikings.
Throughout the contest, Salem State held a narrow 41-38 margin in rebounds, including a commanding 21-12 advantage on the offensive glass. From the field, the Green and Gold shot 16-of-44 (36.4%), while going 57.1 % ((4-for-7) beyond the arc. The Vikings finished 29-for-73 (39.7%) from the field, including 35.7% (5-of-14) from three point range.
Fitchburg State (0-17, 0-5 MASCAC) returns to action on Wednesday as it hosts the Rams of Framingham State University at 5:30 p.m. Salem State (5-13, 2-4 MASCAC) will visit Rivier University on Tuesday for a contest starting at 7 p.m.