Falcons Topped By Wolves In Non-Conference Action

Danbury, Conn. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Basketball team dropped an 83-39 decision to the Wolves of Western Connecticut State this afternoon on day two action of the 2022 Hat City Tournament, hosted by Western Connecticut State University at the Feldman Arena.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 39, Western Connecticut State 83

Records: Fitchburg State (2-9, 0-0 MASCAC) I Western Connecticut State (9-1, 2-0 LEC)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Fitchburg State took an early 3-2 lead on a three pointer from sophomore Morgan Genness (Belgrade, Maine) before Western Connecticut State grabbed a 6-3 edge as graduate student Katelyn Fanning (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) notched back-to-back layups.

The Green and Gold cut the deficit to 11-10 with freshman Aliza Som (Lowell, Mass.) draining a three ball and a Juliana Davis (Templeton, Mass.) layup, but the Wolves would grab a 16-10 edge with junior Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) connected on a three pointer.      

2nd quarter

Western Connecticut State upped the lead to 23-10 as sophomore Alyssa Virtue Groton, Conn.) hit a bucket before the Falcons answered with a Davis free-throw. Fitchburg State trimmed the lead to 39-16 as senior Lindsay McDonald (Stoughton, Mass.) notched a jumper and sophomore Ephemian Bailey (Maple Grove, Minn.) added a free-throw, but sophomore Rosaleen Regan (Monroe, N.J.) hit a layup for the Wolves to make the score 43-16 going into the break.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State continued to battle with junior Olivia Almeida (Wilmington, Mass.) and Davis hitting buckets to make the score 45-20, but Western Connecticut State pushed the lead to 53-20 with Fanning registering a layup.

The Green and Gold answered back as Davis and Bailey hit layups to cut the deficit to 56-24 before newcomer Malaysia Dingle (Brockton, Mass.) knocked down a three ball for the 64-26 advantage.

4th quarter

The Falcons started the fourth frame with a three ball by sophomore Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) but the Wolves upped the lead to 72-29 on a Kristen Rodriquez (Fairfield, Conn.) bucket. Fitchburg State answered with baskets from Genness and sophomore Stephanie Hart (Shirley, Mass.) notched layups before senior Julia Misner (Meriden, Conn.) registered a bucket to extend the lead to 83-36. Almeida would bury a deep three-pointer for Fitchburg State to close out the scoring, resulting in the 83-39 final.                          

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Davis with a team-leading ten points, two rebounds, one assist and one block
• Almeida added seven points, one assist and one block
• For the Wolves, Vivian posted a game-best 18 points and three assists
• Fanning chipped in with 15 points, eight caroms and one steal
• This afternoon's contest marked the first ever meeting between the Wolves and the Falcons on the hardwood
• Fitchburg State shot 15-for-51 (29;.4%) from the field and (4-of-19) 21.1% from downtown
• Western Connecticut State went 34-of-75 (45.3%) overall and (6-for-11) 54.5% for beyond the arc
• Wolves finished with a 51-32 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Eastern Nazarene College to take on the Lions in non-conference action, starting at 5:00 PM.