Salve Regina Stops Fitchburg State, 64-53

Falcons snap three-game winning streak; Proffitt nets team-high 13 in setback

NEWPORT, R.I. (January 5, 2010) - The Fitchburg State women's basketball team snapped its current three-game winning streak this evening as the Falcons fell to Salve Regina University, 64-53 in non-conference action.

MELISSA PROFFITT

Fitchburg State received solid efforts from juniors Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) and Molly Maloney (Taunton, Mass./Taunton) who combined for 25 points and 17 rebounds in the contest. Proffitt led all Falcon scorers with a team-best 13 points, hitting 7-of-8 from the free-throw line and collecting nine boards, while Maloney added 12 points (5-of-13) and eight caroms. Sophomore Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) led all post players with a game-high 13 rebounds.

Salve Regina sophomore Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) led all scorers, totaling a game-high 19 points (9-of-17), seven rebounds and four assists. Classmate Lindsay Shorey (Ashland, Mass./Ashland) was also solid for the Seahawks with 12 points and four assists, while junior Olivia Browning (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) rounded out the Salve Regina top three with 11 points and six caroms.

In the first half, play was tight with Salve Regina holding a slim five point lead for most of the period. Fitchburg State inched within three as junior Kristen Love (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) connected on a fast-break lay-up at the 6:25 mark, but the Seahawks strung together a 16-11 run over the final six minutes capped by a Phillips three at the buzzer. Maloney led the Falcons with eight points in the half, while Phillips posted ten for the hosts.

Salve Regina maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half, going up by as much as 14 throughout the frame. Phillips paced the Seahawks second half attack with nine points on 4-of-8 shooting, while Proffitt and senior Krystle O'Brien (Malden, Mass./Malden) notched seven for the Falcons.

Salve Regina shot 40.6% from the field, including 45.7% in the first half. The used a solid effort from long range, hitting 5-of-9 for the contest (55.5%), while holding the Falcons to only 18 field goals.

Fitchburg State (5-5, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Framingham State College at 1 p.m. Salve Regina (5-6, 0-0 TCCC) returns to the courts on Saturday to host Anna Maria College at 1 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Salve Regina 64, Fitchburg State 53