Falcons Upended By Blue, 68-55

Marazzi registers 17 points in non-conference setback

West Hartford, Conn. – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team dropped a 68-55 decision to the Blue of Wellesley College this evening in opening round action of the 2018 USJ Tip-Off Tournament at the O'Connell Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 55, Wellesley 68
Records: Fitchburg State (2-1) | Wellesley (1-0)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Wellesley took a 6-0 lead to start the contest on a Caitlin Aguire (El Paso, Tex.) before Fitchburg State went on a 7-2 run to cut the deficit to 10-8 with juniors Alicia Ruth (Plaistow, N.H.) and Angelina Marazzi (Manchester, N.H.) combining for all seven points, but the Blue closed out the first quarter scoring as junior Emily Kopp (King Ferry, N.Y.) connected on a layup for the 17-13 edge.

2nd quarter

With the score 23-16, the Falcons answered back as junior Emma Thomson (York, Maine) buried a three ball and Marazzi connected on a jumper to make the score 23-21. Wellesley responded with a  16-3 run, capped by a Valentina Morakis (Long Island, N.Y.) bucket before sophomore Payton Holmes (Carver, Mass.) knocked down a three pointer for the Green and Gold to make the score 39-27 in favor of the Blue going into halftime.

3rd quarter

Following the break, Wellesley upped its lead (49-31) on a basket by freshman Daisy Ella Johnson (Westport, Mass.) before Thomson connected on another three ball for the Flacons to cut the lead to 49-36. Fitchburg State continued to battle cutting the deficit to 59-45 as sophomore Chloe Roberts (Hanson, Mass.) sank a pair of free-throws to end the third frame.

4th quarter

The Blue upped its lead to 66-46 on a basket from Morakis before the Green and Gold answered as sophomore Mishelle Logie (Attleboro, Mass.) buried back-to-back three pointers (66-52). Wellesley secure the victory thought as newcomer Caitrin Spottiswoode (Storrs, Conn.) hit a jumper, resulting in the 68-55 final.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will mark just the second ever meeting between the two teams on the basketball court with the Blue registering a 58-57 victory in the first meeting on November 19, 2016.

The Falcons were paced by Marazzi with a team-best 17 points, eight assists, one rebound, two steals and one block, while Thomson added 12 points, two boards and one assist.

For the Blue, Aguire finished with a game-leading 20 points, five caroms, three assists and four steals, while Kopp chipped in with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Fitchburg State shot 32.7% (16-for-49) from the field, including 12-of-32 (35.7%) from beyond the arc, while Wellesley finished 31-of-63 (49.2%) overall and (2-for-6) 33.3% from three point range.

The Blue held a slim 39-35 margin on the glass, while the Falcons held a 17-12 advantage in bench points.

Up Next

Falcons will take on Mount Holyoke tomorrow in the consolation round of the 2018 USJ Tip-Off Tournament at 12:00 PM. Blue will battle Saint Joseph tomorrow in the championship game of the 2018 USJ Tip-Off Tournament, starting at 2:00 PM.