Falcons Rebound Over Lyons, 78-49

Coppinger collects double-double of 11 points and 18 board in non-conference victory

West Hartford, Conn. – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team defeated the Lyons of Mount Holyoke College this afternoon in the consolation round of the 2018 USJ Tip-Off Tournament at the O'Connell Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 78, Mount Holyoke 49
Records: Fitchburg State (3-1) | Mount Holyoke (0-4)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Fitchburg State opened the scoring early in the contest as junior Anglina Marazzi (Manchester, N.H.) connected on a three-pointer before Mount Holyoke cut the deficit to 5-4 on a jumper by freshman Annika Brooks (Portland, Maine). The Falcons responded with a 15-2 run, capped by a pair of free-throws from sophomore Payton Holmes (Carver, Mass.) to take a 22-6 advantage.

2nd quarter

The Green and Gold upped its margin (29-17) when junior Emma Thomson (York, Maine) drained a three ball, but the Lyons answered back on a bucket from Brooks to cut the lead to 29-14. Fitchburg State went on a 7-0 run, keyed by three points from senior Hannah Keohan (Lunenburg, Mass.) as the Falcons took a 45-23 lead into the locker room.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State pushed its lead to 48-23 on a trey from Thomson before Mount Holyoke responded with a layup by senior Zahkeyah Allen (Philadelphia, Penn.). The Falcons capped the third quarter scoring on a free throw by sophomore Chloe Roberts (Hanson, Mass.) and bucket by freshman Mikayla DeSantis (Lee, Mass.) for the 59-32 margin going into the final quarter of play.

4th quarter

The Falcons started the fourth quarter on a 7-2 run, capped by a DeSantis layup before junior Kaitlin Grover (Bernardston, Mass.) connected on basket for the Lyons to make the score 68-36. Fitchburg State secured the win as freshman Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass.) and DeSantis hit buckets, resulting in the 78-49 final.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest will mark just the second ever meeting between the two teams on the basketball court with the Falcons registering a 71-62 victory on March 4, 2005 in the first meeting.

The Falcons were led by Marazzi with team-leading 16 points, four boards, five assists, one steal and one block, while junior Catherine Coppinger (Boston, Mass.) added a double-double of 11 points and 18 caroms as well as three assists and six steals.

For the Lyons, Brooks finished with a game-best 17 points, 18 caroms and three steals, while Grover chipped in with nine points, two boards and two assists.

Fitchburg State shot 38.8% (31-for-80) from the field, including 9-of-34 (26.5%) from beyond the arc, while Mount Holyoke finished 19-of-65 (49.2%) overall and (1-for-7) 14.3% from three point range.

The Falcons held a 60-43 margin on the glass, while the Lyons finished with 16 second chance points.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Colonels of Curry College on Tuesday for a non-conference contest, starting at 7:00 PM. Lyons will travel to MCLA on the same date for a non-conference tilt at 6:00 PM.