Fitchburg State Takes Down Beacons in OT Thriller, 60-57

FITCHBURG, Mass. – Senior forward Megan Wodzinski hit the game-winning jumper with seven seconds left in overtime as Fitchburg State University defeated University of Massachusetts Boston, 60-57, in a non-conference women's basketball contest on Thursday evening.

The victory improves the Falcons record to 4-0, their best start to a season since the 2011-12 campaign where they won 11 straight. UMass Boston falls to 2-2 on the season with the loss. 

Trailing by three with 1:46 remaining, the Fitchburg State defense was able to regain possession after three missed attempts by the Beacons. After a missed attempt by Wodzinski, the Green & Gold capitalized on a UMass Boston turnover to regain the ball back with 30 seconds on the clock.

Senior guard Rebecca Fluet cut the deficit to one (57-56) on the ensuing play, as she drove through the paint for the layup. Senior guard Laura Cote came up with a steal following the layup to set up the Falcons up for the winning shot by Wodzinski.

In the second half Fitchburg State led by as many as seven points, but the Beacons fought back to tie it up with 1:46 on the clock with a layup by Katrina Edwards. Neither team was able to find the basket in the final minutes despite multiple chances on both ends of the court, as the contest went into overtime deadlocked at 50-50.

The first half was back and forth, seeing seven lead changes and the score even on nine occasions.  The biggest edge of the period came with 50 seconds remaining on a jumper by senior guard Jackie Boffoli, giving the hosts a slim four point advantage (25-21).

The Falcons were led by Wozinski with 14 points, while Boffoli chipped in with career-high 12 points (eight in the first half) and went 3-3 from beyond the arc. Senior forward Brittany Payne recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards in the winning effort.

UMass Boston's Olivia Murphy had game-high's in points (17) and rebounds (18), while Edwards contributed with a double-double of her own with 12 points and 12 caroms.

Overall there were 13 lead changes in the contest, while it was knotted up 15 times. The Beacons held the advantage in rebounds, 61-47, while Fitchburg State had 31 points off turnovers to UMass Boston's 10.

Fitchburg State will travel to Lasell College in a battle between in-state foes on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7:00 pm. The Beacons will also return to action on Tuesday as they visit Mount Ida College at 6:00 pm.

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