Fitchburg State Shocks Simmons, 71-34

Falcons used balanced attack in victory as ten player net points

FITCHBURG, Mass. (December 2, 2010) – Freshman Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) registered her second double-double of the season to lead Fitchburg State to a 71-34 non-conference victory over Simmons College this evening.

AMY FAHEY

Fahey sparked Fitchburg State on both sides of the court, reeling in 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting to go with ten boards, three steals and two assists. Senior Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) was also strong for the Falcons, dropping a game-high 13 points and four rebounds, while freshman Alyssa Orszulak (Palmer, Mass./Palmer) added nine points and nine caroms on the evening.

Fitchburg State jumped out to a commanding 32-12 lead after one half of play as the Falcons defense limited the Sharks to only two baskets in the first half (2-of-21). With the score tight at 5-4 after a slow opening series, Fitchburg State began to pull away as its long-range trio of Rogers, Kim Duprey (Bernardston, Mass./Pioneer Valley) and Megan Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) drop three consecutive shots from downtown. The Falcons built a 14-4 cushion with the rally and continued to pad their lead, posting a 12-5 run to close out the stanza.

In the second half, Fitchburg State gave way to its bench and continued to pump the offense with 39 points in the period. Orszulak sparked the Falcons with eight points and eight boards in the half, while sophomore Jackie Boffoli (Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional) added some energy with six points, two rebounds and two steals. Fahey capped her night with a solid second half effort, totaling six points, four boards  and three steals over the final 20 minutes of play.

For the night, Fitchburg State was consistent, shooting 36.4% for the game and controlling the glass with a game-high 53 rebounds. The Falcons defense was dominant, holding Simmons to only 18.9% shooting for the contest (10-of-53), while causing 26 turnovers with 15 thefts.

Sophomore Liz O’Conner (Milton, Mass./Milton) led the Simmons offensive efforts with a team-best eight points and three rebounds, while classmate Emily Thomas (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire) chipped in with seven points and six caroms. Junior Alex Acloque (Canton, Mass./Blue Hills Regional) led all rebounders with a game-best 14 boards.

Fitchburg State (4-2, 0-0 MASCAC) will hit the court again on Saturday as it travels to Eastern Nazarene College at 7 p.m. Simmons (4-2, 0-0 GNAC) will be in action again on Wednesday as it travels to UMass Dartmouth at 7 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 71, Simmons 34