Women's Basketball Falls To Bears In MASCAC Action

Smith Paces Green & Gold with team-best ten points

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Falcons dropped a 62–39 decision to the Bears of Bridgewater State in women's basketball action Wednesday evening at Parkinson Gymnasium

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 39, Bridgewater State 62

Records: Fitchburg State (2-10, 0-1 MASCAC), Bridgewater State (2-10, 1-0 MACAC)

How It Happened

The Falcons faced an early deficit against the Bears, falling behind 11–2 in the opening quarter. First-year Kyelah Smith (Bloomfield, CT) helped spark the offense with a corner three to trim the margin to six, but Bridgewater responded with a 5–0 run. A layup from Monet Augmon (New London, CT) halted the momentum before a three-point play by Haley Burchhardt pushed the visitors ahead 22–7 at the end of the first quarter.

Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the second quarter, with neither side scoring for the opening four minutes. Fitchburg broke the drought with a pair of free throws from Erin McNamara  (Leominster, MA), while Emilie Von Der Linden led the Bears with eight points in the period to maintain the lead heading into halftime.

The Falcons opened the third quarter with momentum as Smith and Augmon scored on consecutive possessions to cut the deficit to 39–13. Fitchburg continued to battle and closed the frame on an 8–0 run, with contributions from Alexis DeSimone (Ashburnham, MA), Avery James (Attleboro, MA), Mikayler Patch (North Attleboro, MA), and Smith to provide a strong finish to the quarter.

The Falcons finished strong in the final quarter, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers from Erin McNamara (Leominster, MA) before Malaica Guillaume (North Attleboro, MA) added a jumper. Kaelynn Tanner (Lowell, MA) capped the scoring with a three-pointer from downtown as Fitchburg closed out the contest, 62–39.

Inside the Numbers

• Shooting: Fitchburg State 29.2% (14-48), Bridgewater State 39.3% (24-61)
• Three Point Shooting: Bridgewater State 20% (5-25), Fitchburg State 16.7% (4-24)
• Kyelah Smith led the Falcons with 9 points and 5 rebounds

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday, when they host Framingham State University at 12:00 PM

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