Falcons Soar Past Cougars, 80-67

Coppinger and Marazzi combine for 45 points in non-conference victory

Worcester, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Univeristy women's basketball team defeated the Cougars of Clark University, 80-67 in non-conference action this evening at the Kneller Athletic Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 80, Clark 67
Records: Fitchburg State (2-0) | Clark (0-3)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Clark grabbed a 5-3 lead following a jumper by sophomore Hannah Favaloro (Blackstone, Mass.) before Fitchburg State regained the advantage, going on an 11-0 run, capped by a pair of free-throws from junior Angelina Marazzi (Manchester, N.H.), The Cougars responded with a  5-0 stretch to end the first quarter as freshman Julia Beebe (Andover, Conn.) connected on a jumper to make the score 14-10.

2nd quarter

Clark would cut the deficit to 14-13 early in the frame on a Maya Kerstetter (Northampton, Mass.) jumper, but the Falcons answered back as sophomore Mishelle Logie (Attleboro, Mass.) drained a trey. The Cougars knotted the score at 24-24 on a bucket by freshman Elyssa Jackson (Warren, N.J.) before Fitchburg State took a 27-26 edge into the break on a three ball from sophomore Chloe Roberts (Hanson, Mass.).

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State upped its margin (29-26) as senior Kerry Brodbeck (Boston, Mass.) connected on a jumper, but Clark battled back to take a 34-29 lead on a basket from senior Sam O'Gara (Worcester, Mass.). The Green and Gold responded yet again however with junior Alicia Ruth (Plaistow, N.H.) burying a three pointer, en-route to a 54-42 lead.

4th quarter

The Falcons extended their margin (6546) on back-to-back treys by juniors Catherine Coppinger (Boston, Mass.) and Emma Thomson (York, Maine) before the Cougars cut the lead to 68-59 on two free-throws by newcomer Emily Sifferien (North Andover, Mass.). Fitchburg State secured victory though when sophomore Payton Holmes (Carver, Mass.) drained a three-pointer, resulting in the  80-67 final.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will mark the 15th meeting between the two squads on the basketball court with the Falcons currently 6-9 all-time when taking on the Cougars.

Fitchburg State has won five of the last eight meetings with Clark University, with the Cougars collecting a 79-62 victory last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Falcons were led by Coppinger with a double-double of 20 points and 13 boards as well as two assists and two steals, while Marazzi added a game best 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal.

For the Cougars, Kerstetter finished with a team-leading 16 points, six caroms, four assists and four steals, while Favaloro chipped with a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds to go along with one assist and one steal.

Fitchburg State shot 40.3% (27-for-67) from the field, including 12-of-30 (40.0%) from beyond the arc, while Clark finished 23-of-73 (31.5%) overall and (2-for-15) 13.3% from three point range.

Fitchburg State held a slim 50-46 edge in rebounds, while Clark converted 20 turnovers into 17 points.

Up Next

The Falcons will travel to USJ on Friday as they take on the Blue of Wellesley College in opening round action of the University of Saint Joseph (Conn) Tip-Off Tournament at 8:00 PM. Cougars will visit Nichols College on Saturday for a non-conference tilt, starting at 1:00 PM.