Salve Regina Nips Fitchburg State, 50-48

Proffitt sparks Falcons with team-best nine points and seven rebounds

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 4, 2011) –  Senior Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) collected a game-high 13 points as Salve Regina University held off a Fitchburg State University comeback for a 50-48 non-conference victory this evening.

MELISSA PROFFITT

Phillips controlled both ends of the floor for the Seahawks, turning in a double-double effort with a game-high 16 boards to go with her 13 points. The senior forward shot 5-of-16 from the field, while adding four steals and two blocks to the mix. Sophomore Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I./Scituate) notched a strong all-around game with eight points and seven steals, while Olivia Browning (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) and Kimberly Horan (Webster, Mass./St. Peter-Marian) added six points apiece.

Senior Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) led the Fitchburg State offense for the second straight contest, posting a nine point, seven rebound effort, while sophomore Jill Moses (Dedham, Mass./Dedham) and senior Kim Duprey (Bernardston, Mass./Pioneer Regional) chipped in with eight points each.

Despite shooting only 17.2% from the field in the first half (5-of-29), Fitchburg State rallied back from a 12 point, second half deficit to post only its second lead of the contest at the 4:25 mark. Freshman Amy Fahey (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) brought the Falcons within six (39-33) with a steal and lay-up at the 7:08 mark before Duprey and Moses rifled off seven unanswered points with a three and a pair of lay-ups.

Fitchburg State grabbed a three point advantage with just two minutes remaining following a Moses free-throw, but Phillips and Horan rallied the Seahawks back, knotting the score at 48-48 with two consecutive free-throws and jumper outside the paint.

After a Fitchburg State timeout, Salve Regina ramped up its defense, forcing the Falcons into a crucial, game-changing turnover. Birrell created the turnover with a steal at half and took it the distance to give the Seahawks a 50-48 lead. Fitchburg State had its chance to knot the match with just nine seconds remaining but a pair of free-throws missed their mark to give the Seahawks their eighth victory of the season.

Fitchburg State (6-5, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action on Saturday as it hosts Framingham State University at 1 p.m. Salve Regina (8-3, 0-0 TCCC) will travel to Anna Maria College on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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Salve Regina 50, Fitchburg State 48