Fitchburg State Holds Off Salem State, 69-66

Goreham tallies third double-double of the season in Falcons' MASCAC victory  

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 12, 2011) – Junior Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) registered her third double-double of the season as the Fitchburg State women's basketball team held off Salem State University, 69-66 in MASCAC action this afternoon.

REBECCA GOREHAM

Goreham led all Fitchburg State scorers, posting a team-high 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the floor (6-of-6 FT) to go with a game-high 14 boards and two steals. Freshman Alyssa Orszulak (Palmer, Mass./Palmer) and senior Megan Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) were also strong, scoring 12 points apiece, while senior Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) chipped in with 11 points and five caroms.

Salem State received a solid offensive effort from junior Amy Barry (Manchester, N.H./Memorial) who recorded her own double-double with a game-high 24 points and ten rebounds. Sophomore Madeleine Park (Blue Hill, Maine/George Stevens) aided Barry on the offensive front with 15 points and four boards, while junior Tara Driscoll (Swampscott, Mass./Swampscott) added 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor.

Salem State opened the contest with a quick 9-2 run sparked by a pair of threes from Driscoll and Barry, but Fitchburg State responded over the next seven minutes with a 16-9 surge for a 25-11 advantage at the 8:23 mark. Orszulak led the Falcons with 12 points (3-of-3 FG, 6-of-6 FT) in the first frame, while Jacobs' 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc gave the Falcons a 40-27 at the break.

In the second half, play remained even as both teams matched baskets midway through the period. Salem State made a push over the final five minutes of the contest however, coming within eight 62-54 at the 3:56 mark. Minutes later, Barry brought the Vikings within four with a three and a pair of free-throws, while Park connected for a trey with just under a minute remaining to bring the Vikings within one, 65-64.

On the ensuing play, Fitchburg State marched down the floor and set up its offense, finding Rogers underneath for a layup with 23 second remaining in regulation. After a missed free-throw by the Falcons, Salem State brought the ball down their end of the court for a final three-point attempt to knot the score. Driscoll's shot from the left side sailed just long and a rebound by the Falcons sealed the victory.  

Fitchburg State (11-10, 5-5 MASCAC) will be in action again on Tuesday as it hosts MCLA at 5:30 p.m. Salem State (3-19, 0-9 MASCAC) will travel to Framingham State on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 69, Salem State 66