Fitchburg State Clipped By Worcester State, 74-62

Rose, Rivera, Connolly and Villa reach double figures for the Falcons in MASCAC setback

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team suffered a tough 62-74 setback to the Lancers of Worcester State in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the John P. Brissette Competition Court this afternoon.

Fitchburg State took a 5-4 lead to the start the contest on a three ball from senior Shabeli Villa and a layup by junior Michaela McTomney. The Falcons upped its advantage (9-6) as newcomer Kyra Rose connected on a pair of layups with just under seven minute left in the first quarter.

Worcester State closed out the frame on a 9-0 run as sophomore Britt Herring netted a pair of buckets, while senior Bianca Langford and sophomore Emily Carens added one basket each to give the Lancers a 15-9 edge after one quarter of play.

In the second quarter, the Green and Gold opened the scoring on a trey from freshman Emma Thomson (15-12) before Worcester State went on a 12-2 run, highlighted by a pair of three balls from junior Brianna Hackett to make the score 27-14.

The Falcons answered back with a 13-3 stretch as newcomer Allysa Rivera ignited the offense with a trio of three-pointers, while sophomore Kerry Brodbeck and Rose added one bucket each to cut the deficit to 29-25 before Langford and freshman Catherine Sweeney hit layups for the Lancers to up the host margin to 35-27 going into the locker room.

Following the break, the two teams traded baskets throughout most of the third quarter before Fitchburg State cut the lead to six (53-47) going into the final frame on a free-throw by McTomney and a jumper from senior Melissa Guglielmello.

In the final frame, the Green and Gold continued to chip away at the deficit, going on a 7-2 run as sophomore Amy Connolly connected on a pair of layups, while Villa drained a three pointer to make the score 55-54.

Worcester State responded with five straight points from sophomore Kaitlyn Berkel to extend it lead to 64-56. Fitchburg State countered as Connolly, Rose and newcomer Jaliannette Marquez netted buckets but sophomore Kate Surprenant hit one of two shots from the charity stripe to secure the 74-62 victory for the Lancers.

Rose paced the Falcons offense with a team-leading 14 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Rivera (12), Villa (10) and Connolly (10) all reached double figures for the Green and Gold as well.

For Worcester State, Herring led all scorers with a game-best 16 points, four caroms, one assist and two blocks, while Berkel and Hackett combined for 28 points, nine boards, five assists, four blocks and two steals.

Throughout the contest, Fitchburg State finished 25-for-63 (39.7%) overall and (8-of-20) 40.0% from beyond the arc, while Worcester State shot 29-of-58 (50.0%) from the field and (4-for-9) 44.4% from three point range.

Fitchburg State (5-7, 0-3 MASCAC) returns to action on Monday as it hosts the Eagles of Green Mountain College at 5 p.m. Worcester State (7-9, 3-0 MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State on Wednesday to take on the Bears at 7:30 p.m.

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