Box Score FITCHBURG, Mass. - Senior Stephanie Payette netted her 1,000th career point as Fitchburg State fell to Nichols College 61-47 in non-conference action this evening.
Payette led all scorers with a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds as she became the 8th lady Falcon to reach the prestigious 1,000 point plateau. Junior Michelle Ridge collected eight points, six boards and four steals to aid the Fitchburg State offense, while sophomore Kelley Rogers chipped in with seven points on 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc.
Sophomore Jessica Nelson (North Providence, R.I.) registered a team-high 15 points for Nichols, hitting 6-of-11 from the field while grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds. Classmate Ashley Robidoux (Milford, Mass.) was also solid for the Bison, totaling 14 points and three assists, while junior Curtia Humbert (Bridgeport, Conn.) added 11 points and six rebounds.
Nichols jumped out to an early 15 point lead after one half of play, as the Bison held the Fitchburg State offense to only 18 points in the frame. Nelson paced the Bison with eight first half points while Payette notched eight for the Falcons. The Bison gained its cushion early on, putting together a 17-6 run to open the period as sophomore Michelle Guerin (Chicopee, Mass.) tallied seven points in the 10 minute rally.
Fitchburg State came out firing in the second half, outscoring Nichols 15-7 in the first eight minutes of the period. Ridge led the charge with back-to-back three pointers, while Payette posted six points in the paint.
The Falcons brought the Bison lead down to eight midway through the frame, but Nichols slowed the Fitchburg State offense late in the match to secure its fourth victory of the season.
Fitchburg State (3-3, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Thursday as it travels to Clark University at 5 p.m. Nichols (4-2, 0-0 TCCC) will host Elms College on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Story courtesy Fitchburg State Sports Information
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