Fitchburg State Handed a 47-29 Loss by Visiting Worcester State

FITCHBURG, Mass. - Freshman center Britt Herring's game-high 19 points helped to push Worcester State past Fitchburg State, 47-29, in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action tonight at the Parkinson Gymnasium at the Rec Center.

Alongside Herring, Lancers' junior guard Kaitlyn Berkel added 12 points and 14 rebounds and sophomore guard Brianna Hackett contributed eight points and four steals in the victory.

For Fitchburg State, senior forward Stephanie Leveillee corralled 12 rebounds, scored six points, and swiped three steals with sophomore Michaela McTomney also scoring six for the Green and Gold.

Worcester State controlled the opening tip-off, but following a turnover on its first possession the hosts grabbed the lead when Fiona Sugrue found the cutting McTomney in the lane.

Moments later McTomney turned defense into offense intercepting a pass at the arc before converting a lay-up on the fastbreak (4-1).

With five minutes to go in the opening quarter the Lancers picked up their first field goal as senior guard Natasha Gonzalez hit from the corner to spark a 6-2 run, closing out the first (10-6).

The second quarter began when Berkel scored four unanswered points for Worcester State.

Minutes later, Green and Gold senior guard Tori Cyrus checked into the game for the first time at home this season, getting to the line and converting two free-throws, before classmate Leveille dropped in four quick points of her own (14-12).

Following the half-time break Herring took over the contest, going for 14 of her team's 16 in the third quarter giving her team an 11-point lead headed into the fourth quarter (32-21).

In the final quarter, Hackett began the scoring for Worcester State driving to the hoop and converting a lay-up before hitting from beyond three on its next possession.

With time dwindling down, Hackett hit another three, her second of the quarter, to put the game out of reach.

Throughout the contest Fitchburg State was 10-for-49 from the field and 1-of-11 from three. Worcester State finished the game shooting 18-of-61 from the floor and 2-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Worcester State held an advantage on the glass controlling 51 rebounds to Fitchburg State's 38 boards. The Lancers enjoyed a large differential in offensive rebounds, 18-6.

The Lancers dominated the hustle stats throughout, scoring 20 points off turnovers to Fitchburg's 12 and putting back 15 second-chance points to the Falcons 0.

Fitchburg State University (0-22, 0-9 MASCAC) returns to its home court Saturday February 13th to take on conference foe MCLA at 1 P.M.

Worcester State University (7-15, 4-5) will travel to Bridgewater State University on the same day.

Release courtesy of Fitchburg State student journalist Kyle Prudhomme