Fitchburg State Takes Down Worcester State, 58-52

Orszulak lifts Falcons to fourth league victory with 14 points off the bench

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 8, 2011) – Freshman Alyssa Orszulak (Palmer, Mass./Palmer) registered a team-high 14 points to lead the Fitchburg State women's basketball team to a key 58-52 MASCAC victory over Worcester State University this evening.

Orszulak paced the Falcons off the bench, using an 8-of-9 effort from the charity stripe and 3-of-4 night from the field. Senior Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) finished with eight points and five boards to add to the offensive mix, while classmate Molly Maloney (Taunton, Mass./Taunton) chipped in with seven points, eight rebounds and two assists.

ALYSSA ORSZULAK

For the Lancers, sophomore Megan O'Keefe (Warren, Mass./Quabog) was strong offensively, notching a team-high 13 points and seven rebounds, while senior Alexis George (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) added 11 points, five boards and two assists. Freshman Meaghan Burns (W. Brookfield, Mass./Quabog) rounded out the Worcester State attack with eight points and eight caroms off the bench.

In the first half, Fitchburg State used a balanced attack as ten different players registered a basket to give the Falcons an eight point lead at the break (30-22). Orzulak paced the Falcons with six points, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, while Maloney sparked the offense with a jumper and shot from long-range.

Worcester State battled back over the opening minutes of the second half, cutting a ten point deficit to only three at the 16:45 mark. George started the Lancer rally with a pair of free-throws at 17:53 before O'Keefe connected with a trifecta to cut the Falcon lead to 30-27.

Fitchburg State quickly regained its four basket advantage with two pointers from Proffitt, Megan Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) and Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) but Worcester State answered the call again, coming within one point (53-52) with 1:56 remaining in the contest.  Fitchburg State held off the Lancer comeback however sinking its final 3-of-4 free-throws to seal the victory.            

Fitchburg State's bench lifted the Falcons to their fourth conference victory of the season, combining for 30 points throughout the contest, including 14 from  Orszulak. The Falcons were also stingy on the defensive side, limiting the Lancers to only 1-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half and only 32.2% shooting for the game.

Fitchburg State (10-10, 4-5 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it hosts Salem State University at 1 p.m. Worcester State (11-10, 5-4 MASCAC) will host Tufts University on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 58, Worcester State 52