Falcons Topped By Blazers In Non-Conference Action

Chicopee, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Basketball team suffered a tough 67-56 setback to the Blazers of Elms College this afternoon in non-conference action from the Picknelly Arena.

 The Basic

Score: Fitchburg State 56, Elms 67

Records: Fitchburg State (3-16, 1-5 MASCAC) I Elms (7-12, 2-10 GNAC)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Elms raced out to an early 7-0 edge on a pair of layups from junior Rahmia Johnston (Trumbull, Conn.) before the Falcons responded with an 8-0 run as sophomore Caileen Hurley (Hanson, Mass.), freshman Aliza Som (Lowell. Mass.) and sophomore Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) netted buckets.

The Blazers regained the lead 11-8 as graduate student Brianna Metellus (Springfield, Mass.) hit a jumper, but the Falcons knotted the score at 11-11 with junior Olivia Almeida (Wilmington, Mass.) burying a three ball.

2nd quarter

The Blazers grabbed a 15-11 edge with Johnston notching another layup, but the Falcons answered back with Harlow and sophomore Stephanie Hart (Shirley, Mass.) registering baskets for the 16-15 advantage.

Fitchburg State upped the margin to 24-20 when senior Lindsay McDonald (Stoughton, Mass.) hit a jumper before Elms took the lead back 28-25 on a Talia Urbe (South Hadley, Mass.) bucket.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State trimmed the deficit to 32-29 when Harlow connected on a fast break layup, but Elms responded with a Metellus bucket to push the lead to 34-29. The two teams traded buckets over the next two minute though (38-34).

The Green and Gold continued to battle, cutting the lead to 46-39 with sophomore Morgan Genness (Belgrade, Maine) and Almeida netting jumpers before the Blazers extended the lead to 53-42 on a pair of free-throws by newcomer Kayla Jackson (Saugus, Mass.).

4th quarter

The Falcons opened the fourth frame with Harlow draining a jumper and a three-pointer, while freshman Juliana Davis (Templeton, Mass.) added a bucket to make the score 53-50 before the Blazers upped the advantage to 59-52 with Metellus posting a bucket.

Fitchburg State answered with a Harlow jumper (59-54), but Elms secured the victory on a Metellus three ball, resulting in the 67-56 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Harlow with a team-leading 17 points, five rebounds and four five assists
• Almeida added 12 points, five caroms, one assist, two steals and two blocks
• For the Blazers, Johnston finished with a game-best 20 points, six boards, four assists and one steal
• Metellus chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals
• This afternoon's contest marked the 15th meeting between the Falcons and the Blazers on the hardwood with Fitchburg State 8-7 all-time when taking on Elms
• Fitchburg State shot 22-for-67 (32.8%) from the field and (8-of-24) 33.3% from downtown
• Elms went 22-of-61 (36.1%) overall and (5-for-18) 27.8% for beyond the arc
• Blazers finished with a 54-34 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they travel to MCLA to take on the Trailblazers in MASCAC action, starting at 7:00PM.