Women's Basketball Earns 77-64 Triumph Over Leopards In 2024-25 Season Opener

Harlow leads the way with game-best 29 points for the Green and Gold

Boston, MA – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with a 77-64 victory over the Leopards of Wentworth Institute this afternoon in non-conference action from the Tansey Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 77, Wentworth 64

Records: Fitchburg State (1-0, 0-0 MASCAC) | Wentworth (0-1, 0-0 CNE)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Fitchburg State jumped out to an early 10-2 lead as senior Rylie Harlow (Hanson, MA) and classmate Kathryn Hart (Shirley, MA) netted four points each before Wentworth answered with a three ball by junior Reagan Madonia (Corrales, NM) to make the score 10-5.The Leopards trimmed the lead to 17-14 as senior Brooke Carlson (Contoocook, NH) registered a jumper, but the Falcons upped the advantage to 18-14 with Harlow connecting a  free-throw.

2nd quarter

Fitchburg State opened the second quarter on an 11-2 run, capped by a Caileen Hurley (Whitman, MA) and one (29-16). Wentworth responded as senior Maddy Foster (Lewiston, ME) hit a layup to cut the lead to 32-20 before the Green and Gold took a 39-31 lead into the break with senior Stephanie Hart (Shirley, MA) sinking a pair from the charity stripe.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State pushed the advantage to 44-33 on a Stephanie Hart bucket, but Wentworth answered back with Madonia netting a basket (44-38). The Falcons extended the lead to 57-46 late in the stanza with Steph Hart hitting a free-throw.

4th quarter

The Green and Gold upped the lead to 63-48 as Harlow buried a three-pointer before the Leopards connected on a three-ball from newcomer Maddie Gaynor (Waltham, MA). Fitchburg State upped the margin to 77-62 on a pair of free-throws by junior Alexis DeSimone (Ashburnham, MA). Wentworth capped the scoring on a layup by senior Gabby Amoddio (Cromwell, CT), resulting in the 77-64 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Harlow led the way for the Green and Gold with a game-best 29 points, seven boards, one assist and one block
• Hart added a double-double of 19 points and 18 caroms as well as two assists and three steals
• For the Leopards, freshman Taylor Garabedian (Cheshire, MA) finished with a team-leading 23 points, 11 boards, five assists and two steals
• Madonia chipped in with 14 points, one rebound and three assists
• Second meeting between Fitchburg State and Wentworth on the basketball court with the Falcons 1-1 all-time when taking on the Leopards
• Fitchburg State shot 25-for-77 (32.5%) from the field and (6-of-24) 25.0% from three point range
• Wentworth finished 24-of-65 (36.9%) overall and (6-for-18) 33.3% for beyond the arc
• The Falcons finished with a 54-44 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Tuesday as they travel to Clark University to take on the Cougars for a non-conference tilt, starting at 6:00PM.

STAY CONNECTED:

- For the latest on Fitchburg State University Athletics, follow the Falcons via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.