Box Score

DUDLEY, Mass.- Senior Diana Doyle (Springfield, Mass.) scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Fitchburg State women's basketball team to a 68-57 victory over host Nichols on Tuesday evening in non-conference action. After a close first half, the Falcons went on to out-score the Bison 43-29 in the second half to come away with the victory. Fitchburg State improves to 3-1 on the year while Nichols drops to 2-2.

The first half was a back and forth battle as the lead changed hands seven ties. Nichols took its largest lead of the half, 13-8, with 13:11 on the clock while Fitchburg State grabbed a three point edge, 16-13, with 10:46 left in the half. A jumper by freshman Jessica Nelson (North Providence, R.I.) at the buzzer gave the Bison a three point advantage, 28-25, at the half.

Doyle led all scorers with nine points in the half off 4 of 9 shooting for Fitchburg. Junior MaryLynn Skarzenski (Woodbridge, N.J.) led the Bison with five points and six rebounds.

The Falcons went on a 21-2 drive to take a 16 point lead, 46-30, by the 14:18 mark of the second half. A three by sophomore Kari Averill (Barre, Vt.) capped off the run as Fitchburg State knocked down three from behind the arc.

Fitchburg was able to maintain a double-digit lead throughout the half as they held Nichols to 36 percent shooting. The Bison were plagued by 28 total turnovers and were out-shot 18-8 at the foul line.

 Sophomore Michelle Ridge (Milton, Mass.) added 11 points off 4 of 9 shooting for the Falcons. Senior Merry Donovan (Milton, Mass.) had a solid all-around game with eight points, 12 rebounds, five assists, five steals and one block.

Sophomore Curtia Humbert (Bridgeport, Conn.) led Nichols with 14 points and five steals despite committing 13 turnovers. Sophomore Lyndsey Bennett (North Brookfield, Mass.) scored eight points off the bench. Skarzenski finished with eight points, eight rebounds and six assists. Sophomore Margaret Lilly (Ashfield, Mass.) hauled in nine rebounds to go along with six points and four steals.

Nichols will return to action on Thursday at Elms while Fitchburg State will host WPI on Saturday.