Women’s Basketball Topped By AMCATS On Senior Day

James finished with team-best 13 points for Green & Gold

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team dropped a 68-51 decision to Anna Maria in MASCAC action on Saturday afternoon at Parkinson Gymnasium.

Prior to tip-off, Fitchburg State University celebrated Senior Day, honoring Kaelynn Tanner, Natasha Brito, Alexis DeSimone, and Mikayler Patch for their dedication and impact on the women's basketball program.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 51, Anna Maria 68

Records: Fitchburg State (3-20, 1-11 MASCAC) | Anna Maria (9-14, 5-7 MASCAC)

How It Happened.

Fitchburg State battled throughout the opening quarter, overcoming an early 7-2 deficit with an 8-3 spurt. Mikayler Patch converted a layup off an assist from Alexis DeSimone and later knocked down a jumper to keep the Falcons within striking distance. Kaelynn Tanner buried a three-pointer at the 3:17 mark to cap a 5-0 mini run, while Kyelah Smith added a jumper in the closing seconds as Fitchburg trailed just 15-12 after one.

The Falcons came out firing in the second quarter. Avery James connected from beyond the arc just 14 seconds into the frame to tie the game at 15-15, and Tanner answered with another three at 9:02 to knot the score at 18-18. Later in the period, James drained her second triple of the quarter at 3:28, trimming the margin to 27-26. DeSimone was active on the glass and at the free throw line, converting four free throws in the half as Fitchburg entered the break down 32-27.

Out of halftime, the Falcons continued to chip away. DeSimone converted a traditional three-point play just 40 seconds into the third quarter, and Patch's layup at 7:22 evened the contest at 32-32. Fitchburg's defensive pressure produced several steals, including key takeaways by Malaica Guillaume and Tanner, helping fuel a 7-2 run to stay within one possession midway through the frame.

In the fourth quarter, Smith sparked the offense with a layup to make it 43-39, and Tanner later knocked down her third three-pointer of the night at 5:02 to cut the deficit to 51-44. Patch added two free throws at 3:32 to pull the Falcons within four at 54-50, but Anna Maria responded with a late surge to secure the 68-51 final.

Inside the Numbers

• James paced the Falcons with 13 points, Tanner added 12 points, while Patch chipped in 10
• Fitchburg State shot 15-49 (30.6%) from the field and (6-24) 25.% from three-point range
• Anna Maria went 25-80 (31.3%) overall and (11-43) 25.6% for beyond the arc
• The AMCATS finished with a 55-44 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday when they host MCLA for a 5 PM tip-off.

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