Box Score FITCHBURG, Mass. (Nov. 30) – The Fitchburg State women's basketball team exploded for 41 points throughout the second half and cruised to a 72-53 non-conference victory over Nichols College Tuesday evening.

Seniors Molly Maloney and Melissa Proffitt played a strong part in the Falcons third victory of the season, combining for 32 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Maloney led all scorers with a game-high 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Proffitt narrowly missed a double-double with 15 points and nine boards. Sophomore Jill Moses was also strong, notching 15 points off the bench.

On the Bison offensive end, senior Jessica Nelson (North Providence, R.I.) paved the way, totaling a team-best 12 points to go with five boards and three assists, bringing her 19 points away from 1,000 in her career. Senior guard Ashley Robidoux (Milford, Mass.) collected 11 points and nine caroms.

In the first half, Nichols controlled the contest, taking advantage of 14 offensive rebounds for a 36-31 lead at the break. The Bison went up by as much as 11 following a Robidoux three-pointer at the 4:55 mark, but Fitchburg State battled back over the closing minutes, using a pair of trey's from senior Kim Duprey and a jumper from Maloney to cut the Bison lead to only three. Sophomore Kristina Lindgren (Sturbridge, Mass.) added a good jumper with 0:16 remaining in the half to cap the Bison first half scoring.

In the second half, Fitchburg State found its offensive groove, opening the period with a tenacious 30-7 run and posting a 20 point advantage midway through the frame. Maloney sparked the Falcons upfront with eight points in the opening three minutes before teaming up with Duprey and senior Kelley Rogers for a series of threes at the 8:32 mark.

Fitchburg State posted a 41.7% shooting effort in the second half to earn the victory, while the Falcons defense held Nichols to only four buckets (4-of-29) in the frame. Fitchburg State controlled the glass with a 50-44 margin in rebounds, while grabbing a game-best ten steals and four blocks.

Fitchburg State (3-2, 0-0 MASCAC) will hit the court again on Thursday as it hosts Simmons College at 6 p.m. Nichols (2-3, 0-0 TCCC) will be in action again on Thursday as it travels to Westfield State at 7 p.m.


Story courtesy Fitchburg State Sports Information

Box Score