Falcons Fall to Trailblazers in MASCAC Action

Fitchburg, Mass.  – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team dropped a 66-59 decision to the Trailblazers of MCLA 66-59 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 59, MCLA 66
Records: Fitchburg State (2-15, 1-5 MASCAC) | MCLA (1-16, 1-6 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1^st Quarter

Freshman Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) opened the game with a deep three-pointer for the hosts. The Trailblazers battled to a 9-2 lead with five straight points from senior Shannon Carney (Averill Park, NY) midway through the quarter. Fitchburg State closed the gap (9-8) with a trey from senior Lovashia Rosario (Worcester, Mass.). Carney closed out the frame with a three-pointer to give the visitors a 17-10 lead after one.

2^nd Quarter

Sophomore Olivia Almeida (Mansfield, Mass.) delivered a layup to cut the deficit to 17-14, however, MCLA answered with buckets from Olivia Pressley (Cobleskill, NY) and Brooke DiGennaro (Pittsfield, Mass.) to extend the lead (21-14). The Falcon counted with a pair of buckets from Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass.), and Almeida cashed in from three-point land to give the Falcons the halftime lead at 27-24.

3^rd Quarter

Opening the frame with a 7-2 run, including four points from Harold, the Falcons took a 35-28 lead. MCLA battled back and tied the game (37-37) with a layup from Pressley. Harold finished with a lay-in for a 39-37 Green and Gold advantage.

4th quarter

Fitchburg State extended the lead (42-37) with a three-pointer from Harlow to start the last quarter. MCLA countered with six points from DiGennaro to forge ahead 45-42. The Falcons battled to tied the score (45-45) with a beyond the arc shot from first-year Allison Prentis (Mansfield, Mass.). Tied at 53, the Trailblazers scored six unanswered capped by a layup from DiGennaro. Fitchburg countered with another three from Harlow, but MCLA sealed the victory with insurance baskets from the charity stripe.

 Inside the Numbers

• Both Harlow and Harold had double-doubles for the Falcons. Harlow finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Harold contributed 16 points and 16 caroms.
• For the Trailblazers, DiGennaro led the way with a game-high 31 points and 11 rebounds for the double-double, while Pressley added 13 points and 8 caroms.
• MCLA shot 23-for-56 (41.1%) from the field and (3-for-17) 17.6% from three-point range
• Fitchburg State finished 23-for-76 (30.3%) overall and (9-for-32) 28.1 % for beyond the arc
• The Falcons held a 55-39 advantage on the boards

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday when they travel to Framingham State in a MASCAC clash starting at 12:00 PM.