Fitchburg State Pushes Past Mount Ida, 67-51

Four Falcons net double-figures in fourth victory of the season

FITCHBURG, Mass. (December 10, 2013) – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team used a strong defensive effort with 18 steals and 30 caused turnovers to defeat the Mustangs of Mount Ida College, 67-51 in non-conference action this evening.

Fitchburg State registered four players in double-figures with sophomore Tori Cyrus (Everett, Mass.) leading the way with her game-high 11 points. Junior Rebecca Fluet (Fitchburg, Mass.) was also solid with ten points, six boards and five steals, while junior Britney Payne (Franklin, Ky.) and sophomore Megan Wodzinski (Littleton, Mass.) added ten points apiece.

Junior Jenn Rafuse (Brockton, Mass.) led the Mount Ida charge, posting a double-double with a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds, while freshman Angelique Martinez (Taunton, Mass.) also hit home with a double-double effort of 11 points and a game-best 14 boards.

Fitchburg State opened a ten point lead after one half of play behind an eight point effort from Wodzinski. The sophomore forward sparked the Falcons down the stretch, connecting for a three pointer with 0:55 remaining in the half and a pair of free-throws with 0:26 on the clock.

Wodzinski paced the first half efforts, shooting 2-of-3 from three point range and 2-of-5 from the floor, while junior Payne added six points and three boards. Rafuse was strong for the Mustangs, nearly completing her double-double with eight points and 11 boards in the opening 20 minutes.

In the second half, Fitchburg State broke open the contest, taking a 16 point advantage just five minutes into the frame. The Falcons strung together a 12-6 run with lay-ups from Wodzinski, Payne and Cyrus, before jumping out to a 25 point advantage (52-27) with seven consecutive free-throws and a bucket down low from Kristen Enright (Westminster, Mass.).

The Falcons controlled play for the remaining eight minutes of play and never relinquished their double-digit lead, posting their fourth victory of the season. For the game, Fitchburg State shot 29.3% from the floor and 20-of-31 from the free-throw line, while Mount Ida finished 21-of-60 from the floor and just 5-of-15 from the charity stripe.

Fitchburg State (4-4, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action after the winter break as it hosts Western New England on January 2nd at 7 p.m. Mount Ida (2-7, 0-0 GNAC) will also be in action after the break as it visits Becker College on January 4th at 1 p.m.