Framingham State Defeats Fitchburg State, 83-24

Villa registers 11 points for Falcons in MASCAC setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team dropped an 83-24 decision to the Rams of Framingham State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon.

In the first quarter, Framingham State jumped out to a 26- 1 advantage as freshman Quinn O'Connell netted 11 points opening frame points for the Rams, while sophomore Raegan Mulherin added five points. Classmate Lauren Donahue was also solid, collecting a pair of buckets in the first ten minutes of play.

The Rams extended its lead in the second quarter on a basket from junior Monta Connolly and a jumper by classmate Alycia Rackcliffe in the opening minutes to ignite a 21-0 run with Donahue leading the charge with ten of her 14 first half points coming during the stretch before junior Briana Pelton knocked down a jumper for the Falcons to end the run as the hosts took a 47-3 advantage into the locker room.

Following the break, the two teams traded baskets as Mulherin converted a layup, while junior guard Shabeli Villa knocked down a three pointer for the Falcons. Both teams continued to trade buckets throughout the remainder of the third stanza with senior guard Tori Cyrus buried a three ball with just over a minute left in the quarter before O'Connell connected on a layup for Rams to close out the stanza with Framingham State holding a 67-12 margin.

The Green and Gold continued to battle in the final quarter of play as Villa sank a pair of trey's as well as adding a free throw in the first three and half minutes of the fourth quarter. Following a three pointer from sophomore Holly Wentworth, Framingham State secured its 18th win on the season on a pair of baskets by Donahue, resulting in the 83-24 final.

Villa led the way for Fitchburg State with a team-best 11 points, nine rebounds and one block, while Cyrus and Wentworth added three points each. For Framingham State, Donahue finished with a game-high 22 points, two boards, three assists and seven steals, while Mulherin (15) and O'Connell (13) reached double digits as well.

For the game, Fitchburg State shot 7-for-58 (12.1%) from the field, including 29.4% (5-of-17) from beyond the arc, while Framingham State finished 31-for-72 (43.1%) overall and 33.3% (7-of-21) from three point range.

Fitchburg State (0-25, 0-12 MASCAC) concludes its 2015-16 season this afternoon, while Framingham State (18-6, 10-2 MASCAC) clinched the second seed in the upcoming MASCAC women's basketball tournament and will host an opponent yet to be determined on Thursday evening.