# 10 Amherst Rolls Past Fitchburg State, 79-53

Proffitt and Rogers lead Falcons with a combined 26 points

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 28, 2008) - Sophomore Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) and classmate Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) each netted 13 points as Fitchburg State fell to No.10 ranked Amherst College, 79-53 in day one of the Land of Magic Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Amherst, ranked tenth in the latest D3hoops.com national poll, moved to 10-0 by defeating Fitchburg State for the second time this season, as the Jeffs picked up a 72-59 win over the Falcons in the Amherst Tip-Off Tournament championship game Nov. 16. With the win, Amherst head coach G.P. Gromacki picked up his 200th career victory.

Proffitt and Rogers paced the Falcon attack with a combined 26 points while adding a ten total rebounds. Newcomer Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) was also solid with seven points and four caroms, while junior Michelle Ridge (Milton, Mass./Milton) chipped in with six points and one steal.

Senior Stacy Brossy (Lukachukai, AZ/Punahou) picked up a game-high 17 points while shooting 5-for-8 from the floor for the Jeffs. Freshman Kim Fiorentino (Holmdel, N.J./Holmdel) joined Brossy with double figures, scoring ten points, while freshman Lem Atanga McCormick (Chicago, IL/Loyola Academy) notched nine points, three blocks and two steals.

The Jeffs shot 44.0% from the floor, jumping out to an early 39-17 lead in the first half. Fitchburg State recovered from a tough first half, shooting 48.0% in the second frame, including 5-for-6 from three-point range.

Fitchburg State (6-4, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again tomorrow as it takes on Bethany Lutheran in day two of the Land of Magic Classic at 6 p.m. Amherst (10-0, 0-0 NESCAC) will face Kenyon tomorrow at 4 p.m.

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Amherst 79, Fitchburg State 53