Season over as Western New England College bows at Fitchburg State in ECAC Tournament

FITCHBURG, Mass. - Third-seeded Fitchburg State College went on an 11-0 run to close out the first half and never looked back in posting an 80-55 victory over sixth-seeded Western New England College in a quarterfinal round game of the ECAC Division III New England Women's Basketball Tournament Wednesday night (March 5) at the Recreation Center.

Junior forward Steph Payette (Townsend, MA) poured in a game-high 22 points for the Falcons while senior forward Diana Doyle (Springfield, MA) added nine points on 4-of-8 shooting. Sophomore guard Michelle Ridge (Milton, MA) contributed seven points off the bench.

Western New England College had three players in double figures, led by senior guard Jen Dabrowski (Plainville, CT) who scored 12 points with nine rebounds.

Sophomore guard Kailah Al-Darraji (Dover, NH) and freshman guard Lauren Stock (Rocky Hill, CT), who came off the bench, each contributed 11 points. Sophomore forward Kaylyn Smith (Rensselaer, NY) added seven points and grabbed six rebounds for the Golden Bears. 

Fitchburg State (19-8) owned a 52-46 rebounding advantage and shot 46.6 percent from the floor while holding the Golden Bears to a 30.4 percent mark from the floor.

Payette powered the 11-0 run over the final 5:27 of the first half, scoring seven of her 22 points as the Falcons turned a 29-17 advantage into a 40-17 halftime cushion.

Western New England College ends its season with an 18-11 record.