Fitchburg State Claws Past Anna Maria, 80-62

Thomson nets career best 33 points for Falcons in non-conference victory

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team defeated the visiting Amcats of Anna Maria, 80-62 in non-conference action this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Fitchburg State opened the contest on a 6-2 run with freshman Emma Thomson and classmate Jaliannette Marquez connected on a pair of three pointers before Anna Maria took the lead on a pair of buckets from senior guard Christina Gauvin (7-6).

With the score 11-9, the Falcons closed out the first quarter with 8-2 stretch as senior guard Shabeli Villa and Thomson hitting back-to-back threes, while sophomore Katelynn Rizzuto added a layup for the 19-11 advantage.

In the second quarter, the Green and Gold expanded its margin (35-17) with an 8-0 run midway through the stanza as Rizzuto, Marquez and freshman Kyra Rose had one basket each for the Falcons before sophomore guard Leah Wright knocked down a jumper for the Amacats in the winding seconds to cut the deficit to 40-26 going into the break.

Following intermission, Fitchburg State took its largest lead of the night following a trey ball from Briana Pelton (65-35). The two teams proceeded to trade baskets throughout the rest of the frame, capped by a Holly Wentworth three pointer with just over one minute left in the third quarter.

In the final stanza, Anna Maria cut into the deficit on layups by Wright and junior Kayla Odegaard before the Falcons put the game out of reach on the trey from senior guard Melissa Guglielmello, resulting in the 80-62 final.

Fitchburg State was led by Thomson, who poured in a career-best 33 points as well as five rebounds, one assist and three steals, while Rose added 11 points, eight caroms, six assists and one block.

For the Amcats, Gauvin registered 11 points, two boards, one block and three steals, while Russo and sophomore Shannon Hofmiller combined for 22 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, one block and a pair of steals.

Throughout the contest, Fitchburg State shot 35.8% (29-of-81) from the floor, including 20-for-48 (41.7%) from beyond the arc. Anna Maria finished 23-for-58 (39.7%) overall, while hitting just 2-of-8 (25.0%) shots from three-point range.

Fitchburg State (2-3, 0-0 MASCAC) returns to action on Thursday as it hosts the Colonels of Curry College for contest starting at 7 PM. Anna Maria (2-2 (0-0 GNAC) will host Simmons College on Thursday at 7:30 PM.

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