Fitchburg State Shoots Past Clark, 72-51

Goreham posts first double-double of the season in Falcons opening victory

FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 17, 2009) - The Fitchburg State women's basketball team opened its 2009 season in convincing fashion, defeating Clark University 72-51 in non-conference action this evening.

Fitchburg State received a standout effort from sophomore Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) who notched her first double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 boards. Goreham was tenacious on the offensive end, shooting 7-for-9 from the field, including 2-for-2 from downtown.

Junior Molly Maloney (Taunton, Mass./Taunton) aided Goreham on the Fitchburg State attack, posting career-best 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, while classmates Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) and Kim Duprey (Bernardston, Mass./Pioneer Valley) each added 12.

Senior captains Jill Camilleri (Lancaster, Mass./Nashoba Regional) led all Clark scorers with a team-high 12 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Kelsey Giedymin (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) registered ten points in her first collegiate game. Sophomore Ivori Aiken (Harlem, N.Y./Hyde School) chipped in with seven points and five boards.

The Falcons jumped out to a quick 13-6 lead early in the first half as Duprey capped a 6-0 run with a three pointer at the 13:29 mark, but the Cougars rallied back with a 8-0 run of their own to grab a one point lead just two minutes later. Fitchburg State notched a four point lead at the break (37-33) as the Falcons connected on a pair of three pointers, including a buzz-beater shot by Maloney with no time remaining.

In the second half, Fitchburg State increased its defensive efforts, limiting Clark to only 18 points in the period. The Falcons wasted no time in giving themselves a cushion, using an 11-0 run at the 12 minute mark to take a commanding 15 point lead. Maloney paced the Falcons offense with 11 points on 3-of-3 shooting from long range, while Goreham and Rogers each added eight.

Fitchburg State (1-0, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Friday as it competes in the Endicott College Tournament at 6 p.m. Clark (0-1, 0-0 NEWMAC) returns to action on Friday as it travels to Bridgewater State for the D'Angelo Tip-Off Tournament at 7:30 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 72, Clark 51