Falcons Upended By Lions

Quincy, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Basketball team dropped an 89-70 decision to the Lions of Eastern Nazarene College this evening in non-conference action from the Lahue Athletic Center.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 70, Eastern Nazarene 89

Records: Fitchburg State (2-10, 0-0 MASCAC) I Eastern Nazarene (5-9. 0-0 NECC)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Fitchburg State raced out to an early 9-0 lead to start the contest as sophomores Ephemian Bailey (Maple Grove, Minn.), Stephanie Hart (Shirley, Mass.) and Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) notched buckets, while classmate Morgan Genness (Belgrade, Maine) added a three ball.

Eastern Nazarene rallied to knot the score at 9-9 as sophomore Ahidali DeHuelbes (Tucson, Ariz.) connected on a layup. The Lions regained the lead 21-18 on a three pointer from junior Delaney Walker (Nampa, Idaho), but the Falcons trimmed the lead to 23-20 with freshman Juliana Davis (Templeton, Mass.) registering a layup.

2nd quarter

The Green and Gold opened the second quarter with a Bailey jumper (23-21) before Eastern Nazarene answered as sophomore Anaira Ayaly (Guaynabo, PR) netted a bucket to make the score 25-21,

Fitchburg State battled back to retie the contest at 25-25 with Harlow burying a three pointer, but DeHuelbes gave the hosts a 33-29 advantage with layup. The Falcons answered back when senior Lindsay McDonald (Stoughton, Mass.) notched a bucket to trim the lead to 38-32 before Eastern Nazarene grabbed a 40-32 edge with senior Michala O'Donoghue (San Bruno, Calif.) connecting on a jumper.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State reduced the lead to 42-36 when Hart netted a jumper, but Eastern Nazarene pushed the lead to (50-38) on an Ayala layup. The Falcons responded as Bailey notched a free-throw and bucket to cut the deficit to 63-45 before the Lions grabbed a 69-49 edge going into the fourth quarter as senior Alondra Jimenez (Santa Barbara, Calif.) hit a jumper.

4th quarter

The Falcons started the fourth frame with a Harlow layup (69-51) before the Lions upped the lead to 73-51 when junior Ashley Quigley (Fields Landing, Calif.) registered a basket. Fitchburg State answered back as junior Olivia Almeida (Wilmington, Mass.) knocked down a three ball, but Eastern Nazarene secured the victory with Jimenez hitting a three pointer, resulting in the 89-70 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Davis with a team-leading 17 points, seven rebounds and one assist
• Bailey added 16 points, six caroms, two assists and two blocks
• For the Lions, Walker finished with a game-best 20 points, one assist and two steals
• Ayala chipped in 19 points, one board, one assist and one steal
• This evening's contest marked the ninth meeting between the Falcons and Lions on the hardwood with Fitchburg State 3-5 all-time when taking on Eastern Nazarene
• Fitchburg State shot 30-for-69 (43.5%) from the field and (4-of-15) 26.7% from downtown
• Eastern Nazarene went 37-of-77 (48.1%) overall and (11-for-38) 28.9% for beyond the arc
• Falcons finished with a 51-32 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they host the Trailblazers of MCLA for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 2:00 PM.