Fitchburg State Rallies Past Emerson, 77-71

Three Falcons collect double-digit points in third straight victory

BOSTON, Mass. (December 12, 2009) - The Fitchburg State women's basketball team rallied from an eight point halftime deficit, shooting 51% from the field to defeat Emerson College 77-71 in non-conference  action this afternoon.

The Falcons trailed for most of the contest and  faced an 11 point margin following an Olivia DiNucci's  (Pittsburgh, Pa.) jumper with 13:17 remaining, but Fitchburg State responded via the three as junior Kim Duprey (Bernardston, Mass./Pioneer Valley) connected for a pair of treys, cutting the Lions lead to eight (48-40) and igniting a 12-0 run.

DiNucci answered the Fitchburg State run with a three of her own to give Emerson a 51-49 lead at the 11:10 mark, but the Falcons continued to scrap as junior Kristine Love (Londonderry, Mass./Londonderry) knotted the score with a layup just 39 seconds later. Both teams traded leads until two Lauren Zaniboni (San Diego, Calif.) free throws forged the game's tenth and final tie.

Junior Kelly Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) gave the Falcons the lead for good with a layup following an Emerson turnover and worked the lead to four points with a pair of free-throws. Fitchburg State continued to match Emerson's offense, holding its tight two point margin, but Duprey gave the Falcons its biggest lead of the game (6) as she drained a three at 1:37 mark. Emerson pulled within two (73-71) on a DiNucci three with a minute remaining, but four Megan Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) free throws sealed the game for Fitchburg State.

Emerson's DiNucci led all scorers with 29 points, including five three-pointers, while Zaniboni tallied had a double-double with 13 points and ten boards. Junior Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) paced the Fitchburg State attack, dropping 20 points and 11 boards for her third double-double of the season, while Rogers (16) and Duprey (12) were also in double figures for the Falcons.

Fitchburg State (5-4, 0-0 MASCAC) is off until after the winter break when it travels to Curry College on January 3rd. Emerson (3-5) completed its first semester of play as well and will travel to California the first week of January for a pair of games.

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Fitchburg State 77, Emerson 71