Falcons Clipped By Vikings, 67-61

Salem, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Women's Basketball team dropped a 67-61 decision to the Vikings of Salem State University this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic (MASCAC) action from the Twohig Gymnasium.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 61, Salem State 67

Records: Fitchburg State (4-15, 2-5 MASCAC) | Salem State (5-14, 2-5 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st quarter

Salem State opened the contest with a three ball from senior Courtney Paschal (Waltham, Mass.) before Fitchburg State answered with an 11-0 run on a pair of bucket from senior Angelina Marazzi (Manchester, N.H.) and back-to-back trey's by senior Emma Thomson (York, Maine) and junior Samantha Maglione (Bolton, Mass.).

The Vikings answered back with an 8-0 stretch, capped by a Nicole Freddo (Marblehead, Mass.) layup to knot the score at 11-11, but the Falcons regained the advantage, 16-11 as Marazzi drained another three-pointer, while sophomore Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass.) added a layup.

2nd quarter

Fitchburg State extended its lead (22-15) on a Lindsay McDonald (Stoughton, Mass.) layup. Salem State battled back to tie the contest at 27-27 with Paschal connecting on a layup before the Falcons regained the lead as junior Payton Holmes (Carver, Mass.) knocked down a three-pointer and Marazzi sank a free-throw to make the score 31-27 going into the break.

3rd quarter

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State upped its margin (37-27) on a three-pointer from Holmes and a three point play by senior Catherine Coppinger (Boston, Mass.). Salem State rallied to cut the lead to 42-41 as Freddo hit a layup, but the Falcons answered back when junior Mishelle Logie (Attleboro, Mass.) registered a jumper for the 44-41 edge.

 4th quarter

The hosts took its first lead of the second half (58-49), going on a 10-0 run, capped by a Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.) bucket. The Falcons would chip the deficit to 58-54 as Logie knocked down a three-ball, but Salem State secured the victory with Mattera notching a three-pointer, resulting in the 67-61 final

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Marazzi with a team-best 16 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal
• Holmes added 15 points, one board and one block for Fitchburg State
• For the Vikings, Paschal finished with game-leading 23 points and four caroms
• Zaiter chipped in with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds for Salem State
• 78th meeting between the two teams on the basketball court with the Falcons 14-64 all-time when taking on the Vikings
• Fitchburg State shot 20-of-57 (35.1%) from the field and (10-for-28) 35.7% from downtown
• Salem State went 23-of-57 (40.4%) overall and (3-for-12) 25.0% for beyond the arc
• Salem State held a narrow 38-36 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons will host the Trailblazers of MCLA on Wednesday for a MASCAC contest, starting at 5:30 PM. Vikings will travel to Bridgewater State on the same date to take on the Bears for a conference tilt at 5:30 PM.