Salem State Battles Past Fitchburg State, 76-66

Duprey nets 17 in Falcons MASCAC setback to Vikings

SALEM, Mass. (January 21, 2010) - Junior Kim Duprey (Bernardston, Mass./Pioneer Valley) registered 17 points to lead Fitchburg State's offense, but the Falcons fell to Salem State College, 76-66 in MASCAC action this evening. 

Duprey led all Falcon scorers, shooting 60% from the field, including 5-of-9 from three point range. Classmate Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) added to the offensive mix with 14 points and eight boards, while senior Kari Averill (Barre, Vt./Spaulding) and junior Megan Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) chipped in with eight points apiece.

Salem State senior Danielle Jenkins (Marlborough, Mass./Marlborough) led all scorers, posting a double-double with a game-high 32 points and ten boards, while sophomore Amy Barry (Manchester, N.H./Manchester) netted 15 with 5-of-10 shooting from the field. Freshman Brianna Wilson (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) was also strong for the Vikings with 12 points and eight caroms.

Jenkins, who notched her second straight double-double, had a strong first half, hitting on 6-of-8 from the field to help Salem State build a 14 point lead. Duprey kept Fitchburg State within striking distance, scoring a team-high 12 points in the opening period, including two consecutive three's in the final minute to cut the Falcon deficit to six at the break (35-29).

Fitchburg State sophomore Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy), who tallied six points and eight rebounds, hit a jumper at the 17:51 mark of the second frame to cut the Viking lead to four, but Salem State ran off seven straight points to push the lead back to 11 at 44-33.

Barry and Wilson helped Salem State maintain a comfortable lead for most of the second half until Fitchburg State rallied back, pulling within five (67-62) with 4:30 remaining in regulation. The Vikings quickly halted the Falcons comeback as a jumper by Jenkins and layup by Wilson ended the threat.

Fitchburg State (8-8, 2-2 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts MCLA at 1 p.m. Salem State (10-5, 3-1 MASCAC) will visit Bridgewater State on Saturday at 1 p.m.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY TO FOLLOW

Salem State 76, Fitchburg State 66